Made For A Purpose

About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war. Joshua 4:13, NIV

God made you for a special purpose. He gave you a unique collection of talents and desires. He made you the way you are so you can fulfill your purpose as he has defined it.

Joshua ordered the men of Israel to conquer the land of Canaan while their wives and children remained behind to settle their families.

No doubt the men fighting under Joshua’s command wondered what their leader had in mind for them. Here they were, dedicated family men, being taken away from their wives and children to answer another calling.

Some of us are faced with those same kinds of questions today.

When the United States Marine Corps called Carl to leave immediately to serve in Operation Desert Storm, he wondered what God had in mind for him. He was a good and dedicated marine, but he also had a very effective ministry in his local church.

Rather than seeing his situation as a choice between serving his country and serving God, Carl decided on the way to Kuwait City that he would lead a daily Bible study for anyone in his platoon who wanted to attend.

God blessed Carl’s efforts. In the face of danger and potential tragedy, everyone in Carl’s platoon attended his Bible study every day.

Carl had been called to defend his country, but he continued to carry out the purpose God had called him to fulfill by providing comfort to a group of young men and helping them come to grips with their need for God.

No matter where life places us—whether we work as soldiers, accountants, pastors, or anything else—we need to ask ourselves daily what we are doing to carry out the purpose God made us to fulfill.

Lord, give me the insight to live out your plan for my life, no matter where circumstances place me.