Living On Purpose

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.

Psalm 20:4

When big cities swelter under the summer sun, sometimes a fire hydrant is opened to provide a fountain of water to cool off children. But attach a fire hose to that same hydrant, and the water turns from a spray to an aquatic laser that would send a child tumbling.

It’s all about focus—and focus is at the heart of life and ministry as well. Christ’s apostles were able to turn their world “upside down” (Acts 17:6) because they were focused on Christ’s purpose for their lives: go into all the world, preach the gospel, and make disciples in every nation (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul was focused. When writing to the Corinthians he said he “determined not to know anything among [them] except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). And he also wrote that he had only one goal (purpose) in life: to win “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul concentrated on living his life on purpose.

Does any purpose in your life supersede that of living a life pleasing to God? Purpose today to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Colossians 1:10).

Velocity is no substitute for direction or purpose.

JOHN BLANCHARD