Spiritual PurposeSample

Discernment of our spiritual purpose gives us hope in the midst of the trials we face. 

Jeremiah’s word of encouragement to the Israelites on the brink of despair was that God was at work in the midst of their mess. Jeremiah comforted the people with these words: 

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Israelites could settle down, build houses, and seek the welfare of the city where God had sent them into exile (Jeremiah 29:7) because they knew God’s ultimate plans to restore their fortunes and gather them from all the nations and from all the places where He had driven them (Jeremiah 29:14). 

When we understand our spiritual purpose rooted in who God is and who He created us to be, we can look back, like Joseph, over the trials and messy spots in life, knowing that God has always been with us (Genesis 39:3, 21). We can say confidently, as Joseph said to his brothers, 

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50:20).   

I want to bring to mind a scene from the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. When the bad guys had stolen the map to find the Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and his father, Indiana was perplexed at what to do next. His father, however, reminded his son not to worry, because he was the one who had written the map in the first place. 

When our own lives seem directionless, we need to remember that our Heavenly Father has already meticulously drawn out the maps of our lives (Psalm 139:13-16). As we seek God and come to know Him more intimately, He will give direction to our directionless lives, granting us the benefit of spiritual purpose.  

If you would like to read more about pursing God, we would like to offer you a copy of an ebook from Dr. Evans, titled "Pursuing God." Simply click here.