Awaken to Purpose

Awaken to Purpose 
The 2020 Awakening! 
Terry R. Baughman

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). 

Why are we here? Finding the answer to that question is sometimes a life-long quest. Seeking to find what our gifts are and the things that bring joy into our lives are ways we can begin to identify our purpose. God has placed gifts and abilities in each of us that bring fulfillment and satisfaction when we are able to use them for a purpose that is bigger than our lives and longer lasting than our existence. 

Purpose must be more than status or success. If we give all of our energies into merely acquiring financial accomplishments we will identify with the foolish man who only lived for more. He said, “I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods” (Luke 12:18). His ultimate goal was to lay in store so much that he would never need to worry or work again saying, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). Jesus called him a fool because he did not know that he would perish and leave all of these possessions behind. This is the condemnation of one, “who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

The secret of success is, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Obtaining financial security is not evil and owning possessions is not wicked, but looking to those things for fulfillment or hoarding possessions for selfish passions will rob us of the true blessing that comes from finding God’s purpose in all our pursuits. 

Putting God first in our lives leads to a life of contentment and obtaining the favor of God. As Matthew recorded above, “all these things shall be added to you.” Paul assured us that a result of finding and fulfilling the purpose of God will be rewarded in “that all things work together for good to those who love God,” in the text (Romans 8:28). Living according to His will and seeking His purpose first in our lives will bring many blessings and the satisfaction of a life well-lived. 

As we seek His ways in our lives we will find a resource of strength and the prompting of His presence as we make decisions in alignment with God’s purpose. The wise man said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

It is time to awaken to our purpose in life. Rather than squander our days and waste our talents on things that will soon decay, let us arise to accomplish the eternal calling on our hearts. Relationships, spiritual growth, biblical studies, conversion of friends and family, these are the lasting events that will remain long after our lives are ended. 

In the time of the Covid-19 pandemic we have been made to assess our lives and weigh out the value of our activities. Many things have been deemed essential services while others become unnecessary. We find ourselves reevaluating our careers, our goals, and our spiritual connections. Let us arise and awakened to our purpose that God has called us to accomplish! 
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Theme passage:
“Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). 
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