What Is Your

 

"Purpose" can be a noun (the reason for which something is done, or created, or for which something exists. Or, it can be a verb (have as one's intention or objective.) Which is it in your life? Basically, what is your purpose?

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8 KJV)

That's not the first use of "purposed" in the Bible, but it's one that has a very good lesson for those of us who thought we knew where we were going but ended up on a different path. As a babe, it was expected that Daniel would be educated as an elite member of Jewish leadership. His name was a combination of two Hebrew words that mean Judge of God. A war determined his education would be used elsewhere:

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. (Daniel 1:3-4 KJV)

I won't go into all that happened to Daniel - you really should read the full book to understand how he prospered as a result of his purpose. He had one goal at first, kept that one as well as one he made to worship only God. He had a talent, and he continued in prayer as well as worship with God in mind.

Another of the 55 times purpose or purposed appears in the Bible is another of my favorite verses, spoken during Paul's explanation to Agrippa as to why he was a Christian:

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:14-16 KJV)

That time Jesus provided Paul with a purpose. Jesus made Paul a minister, an Apostle called out of time, a witness to what he had seen and the things he would see in the future. Paul answered that call and fulfilled that purpose. To a certain extent, all of us are given a similar purpose:

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:27-28 KJV)

This is an awesome chapter that all Christians should read and heed. It really doesn't matter what we are called to do - what matters is whether or not we do what we are called to do. It matters that we are working the purpose God has provided for us to serve and worship Him. Paul describes it as one body, as Christ is one body. 

When we aren't listening to God, we can easily end up where we do not belong. Paul purposed to go to Rome, but the Holy Spirit did not allow that journey at Paul's timing:

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. (Romans 1:13 KJV)

Paul said that oftentimes he desired to go to Rome to work among the Christians there, but he made other trips instead that benefited a number of growing churches. When he finally went to Rome, it was a prisoner, and eventually he was killed for his beliefs, his preaching, his worship of the God he served so well.

Are we willing to purpose in our heart to follow our God wherever we are led? Can we speak the truths found in His word, inspired by God though written down by men across century after century? We have seen proof in the Dead Sea Scrolls that the book of Isaiah serves as an example as to how that was done. Pick up that wonderful book and read it with a prayer that God will help you find purpose for now and definitely for eternity. Read of the men who did, and were blessed.