Your Purpose Is Greater Than Your StrugglesSample
Jesus Came for a Purpose!
The Bible commands that "Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 AMP
The book of Timothy is a letter Paul wrote to a young pastor who had been of help to Paul. Timothy's mother was a Jewess, and his father was Greek. Paul was more than just a mentor and leader to Timothy; he was like a father to him, and Timothy was like a son to Paul (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul begins the letter by urging Timothy to be on guard for false teachers and false doctrine. However, much of the letter deals with pastoral conduct. Paul instructs Timothy in worship (chapter 2) and developing mature leaders for the church (chapter 3). Most of the letter deals with pastoral conduct, warnings about false teachers, and the church’s responsibility toward single members, widows, elders, etc. Throughout the letter, Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm, to persevere, and to remain true to his purpose.
God’s plan for creating us was intentional and deliberate. There had to be a process of planning that would have solidified the details for the finished product.
Jesus came for a purpose which means that we were created on purpose for a purpose!
Respond
There are some great Purpose Principles that we all can learn from 1 Timothy 4:12-16 New King James Translation:
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (You must always be an example.)
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (You must give attention to and devote yourself to reading the Bible.)
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elder-ship. (Don’t neglect the gift (purpose) that is in you.)
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (Make time to meditate on your purpose.)
16 Take heed to yourself and the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (Take heed of your purpose; don’t worry about other people’s anointing.)
About this Plan
Do you wake up every day not wanting to just exist, but wanting to live on purpose? Do you wholeheartedly want to please God, but knowing that you struggle in a particular area you don’t feel worthy to do what God has called you to do? Learn from author Michael L. Williams Jr. that the things you struggle with are the only things powerful enough to ignite your purpose!
More