Finding Your God-Given Purpose

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby
villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ~Mark
1:38 (NIV)



Jesus knew His purpose and wasn't swayed by the
agendas of others, no matter how worthy their cause. He spoke the above
words the day after a time of prolonged healing of people with various
illnesses and diseases. The next day the people came back for more, and
when the disciples found Him, they basically told Him what He needed to
do.



Healing people was a good thing. It changed lives. It brought
sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and the ability to walk to the
lame. While this was part of His purpose (Luke 4:17-19), it wasn't His
main focus. As important as physical healing was, His primary purpose
was spiritual in nature.



In another instance, as recorded in John 4, Jesus returned to Galilee from Judea. Verse four states: Now he had to go through Samaria. (Another translation uses the word "must.")



Did He really have
to go through Samaria? Not necessarily. There was an alternate route.
In fact, most of the Jewish people of His day avoided Samaria because of
ancient hostilities. They simply chose to walk around Samaria on the
east side of the Jordan to reach Galilee.



Not Jesus. Though He was
fully human, He was also fully God, and part of His mission for that
particular day involved a walk through Samaria for a divine appointment
with a woman at a well.



We will all face times when other people
try to sell us their agenda for our lives. Some might even claim it as a
"special word from the Lord." They may ridicule, shun, or attempt to
shame us for not doing what they claim we need to do. Their plan or pet
project may look good and be for a worthy cause, making the choice all
the more difficult.



It's okay to hear others out. God may indeed be
using them to help you. But if after prayer and seeking God, You feel
Him leading You another direction, follow Him. Keep your heart in tune
with His Spirit dwelling within you. He alone knows why He placed you at
this exact moment in time, and He will guide and direct you as You
allow Him complete rule of your life.



Isaiah 30 illustrates this
point so perfectly. An alliance with the mighty nation of Egypt seemed
like the smart solution to Israel's problems. The only problem? They
were carrying out plans that weren't from God. After prophesying the
negative consequences of their flawed plans, Isaiah relates how
compassionate God longed to be to them, how He would one day restore
them, and then speaks these words: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”



Friend,
whether you find yourself in the after-affects of a bad alliance or
frustrated by the edicts of well-intentioned but misguided people, know that our
great God has a perfect plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). All you need to do is listen
to His voice and follow. God's Word promises that, in His sovereignty,
His purpose for you will stand (Proverbs 19:21).



Father, forgive me
for times I've given in to human demands or my own flawed agenda rather
than following Your divine plan for my life. Thank You, that in Your
compassion, You always draw me back to Yourself. God, my times are in
Your hands. I commit my life anew to doing the work You've given me. May I stay closely in step with Your Spirit so I can discern exactly
what You would have me do. May I prayerfully consider the requests of
others, but may the final decision be of Your determination. Amen.