Your Purpose Is In His HandsSample

The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins by addressing a foundational need in all of us, and that is to identify why we are here. The question is given: What is the chief end of man? The answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. How do you glorify God? One way is by fulfilling His intended purpose for your life. 

We read in John where Jesus acknowledges this, “’I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.’” (John 17:4) How did Jesus glorify God? By completing the work God sent Him to do. The same is true for you. You bring glory to God as you walk in and fulfill His intended purpose for your life. You glorify God when you choose to live out your destiny – intentionally pursuing the works God has for your life.

One of the greatest reliefs you ought to feel about fulfilling your destiny, though, is that you don’t have to be burdened with creating it. No statue, painting or song ever carried the burden of creating how it would be. God has already determined the destiny for your life. Your job is to walk in it as you were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand ….”

God already knows the end from the beginning. He has prepared your destiny beforehand. We read, 

“Remember this, and be assured … Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:8-10)

God works similar to how a carpenter works to build a house. A carpenter doesn’t start nailing pieces of wood together and hope that he eventually comes up with a house. No, first a design is created of what the house is supposed to look like. Measurements are determined, along with a plan as to where critical components will be placed or run such as electricity, plumbing, water and heating. Only when the carpenter can see the finished work on his blueprint does he begin digging the foundation and ordering the materials. 

When God says that He works from the end to the beginning, He is saying that He has already completed the blueprint in the spiritual realm for what you are to do in the physical realm. He knows your destiny. His goals for you are already made. His desires for you have already been determined. He has already dreamed His dream for you. What He is doing now is simply rolling back through time to look for your cooperation to begin walking in what He has already prepared for you to do. 

Prayer: Lord, strengthen me to walk in that you have already prepared. Show me which way to go and guide me with your wisdom along the way. In Jesus' name, amen.

God can use detours to get you to your purpose. Would you like to know more? We have a gift download MP3 of the sermon "The Purpose of Detours" by Tony Evans, just for you. Simply click here.