The Wellness Revelation 40-Day Journey Sample

Live Out His Purpose For You

LIVING FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE

Yesterday’s devotional ended with a reminder that we are called to live out our vocation so that the Triune God receives glory, honor, and fame.

Let’s take it one step further.

We are called to live for a higher purpose, leading to higher accountability and self-discipline.

What do you think when you read the word self-discipline? I am not surprised if it leaves you feeling burdened.

After all, you didn’t choose many of the sharp pieces of your life’s puzzle. Maybe you’ve faced divorce, depression, betrayal, or loss, and you’ve turned to food or other addictive substances instead of turning to God. You may have taken the puzzle pieces of life and tried squeezing them into the wrong places to make them fit.

When it comes to our goals for changing ourselves, we often try harder to work our plan. I want to give all of us a new way to look at self-discipline, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

This doesn’t mean living perfectly. That is far beyond us. It does mean living in the truth that God is love. That realization leads to wholeness: living as who we are – dearly loved, valued, and cherished children of God who happen to live in a fallen world.

In response to His love, we desire to follow Him. Our obedience is a natural overflow of our love for God. Obedience precedes self-discipline. Obedience trumps self-discipline. Obedience is the cause, and self-discipline is the effect. And according to Jesus, obedience is something we desire because it feeds our love for God.

People who love God can look at the temptation of eating another cookie or obsessing over their bodies and say, “Get behind me. I have something so much better than you.”

Reflect:

If you are unsure of your purpose or want to be sure that you are living completely in His will for your life, read Matthew 7:7-8. According to these passages, what do you need to do to find your purpose? Be persistent and continue to pray that God will reveal His deeper purpose for your life in Him.