Live Without RegretSample

PURPOSE CHANGES EVERYTHING

New research from the Barna Group reveals that three-quarters of U.S. adults (75 percent) say they are looking for ways to live a more meaningful life.  Among Christians, there is an additional question:  “What does God want me to do with my life?”  According to the Barna study, only 40 percent of practicing Christians say they have a clear sense of God’s calling or purpose for their lives.

It is clear that God is a God of purpose. Throughout the Bible He never does or creates anything without reason. Therefore, He has created you for a reason. You have a purpose.

One of my all-time favorite verses is found in Acts 13:36 which says, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his generation, fell asleep” (NASB). Another version says, “David did God’s will during his lifetime. Then he died and was buried beside his ancestors.” (NCV)

I love how David had such great clarity about his purpose and calling.  I sincerely believe every Christ follower can have the same clarity.  You were made to fulfill a purpose and knowing that purpose will give your life meaning.

There are three things we can learn from Acts 13:36 to help us to live with purpose:

1. David served the purposes of God

The summary of David’s life is that he served the purposes of God.  David didn’t make life about himself. You are called as a Christian to advance God’s kingdom and you will only have purpose when your highest priority is to find out what God wants you to do.

2. He impacted his own generation.

When you have purpose you will impact people!  When you serve the purposes of God, people will be impacted by your service.  By living on purpose, you will experience clarity about how to impact people in your generation.  Divine purpose impacts people.

3. He fell asleep.

Once David fulfilled God’s purposes for his generation, he went home to heaven. Remember, everything in our world has an expiration date. The milk in your refrigerator has an expiration date, your car registration has an expiration date, and even your body has an expiration date. You may have heard people say, “Nothing lasts forever.” Well, nothing on earth lasts forever. Don’t waste your life.  It is a waste if you die and haven’t lived to make an eternal impact.

Living your life on purpose and with intentionality matters!  It matters so much to God that he will take notice and commend you for it.  Listen to what God said about David in Acts 13:22, “He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will." (emphases mine).

To live a life of purpose, . . . accomplish God’s purposes and do what He asks you.