I love to read, and have for as long as I can remember. I’m dating myself, but I can remember reading ALL “The Bobbsey Twins” books when I was young. Of course, “Nancy Drew” and “The Hardy Boys” were also stories I devoured as a child.
As a follower of Jesus, I still read novels. For me, they must be clean stories, mysteries, some romance is fine, but storylines that drive home a Biblical message is an absolute component of the books I read. I learn from the lessons the authors’ characters are learning about God, and who He is to them.
The following is an excerpt from one of my recent reads:
“And now you have to simply be.” He looked up, to black sky. And weirdly, Jonas was in his head. Again. “This time-out God has given you is His way of showing you that you need Him more than you need a grand purpose.” “I don’t know how to be. I’ve always had a purpose.”
“Son. A purpose is a good thing. But it can be an idol. God is not a purpose. He’s a person. And maybe He’s saying, ‘I love you for who you are, not what you can do.'” “I sort of want to be loved for what I do.” “No, you don’t.” He drew in a breath.
“Here’s the truth. If you ever thought you were enough, then you were making yourself, your abilities, an idol. And you will fail yourself.” Right. He lifted his hand, looked at his bloody knuckles. “I think I already have.” “Then maybe, right now, God is rescuing you from yourself. God isn’t done with you yet, Fraser. You just need to get out of your own way, stop looking for your glorious purpose, and lean into the God who loves you.”
As I read those words, God was speaking to my heart.
I could easily relate to the character in this story.
I could relate, because it is easier for me to be busy, than to simply be still with God, and allow Him to speak to my heart.
I could relate, because it is easier for me to believe the lie that I need a grand purpose that isn’t God Himself.
I could relate, because in the past I have believed the lie that God’s love is based upon what I do, and not who I am – His child, created in His image, by His loving Hands.
I could relate, because in the past I thought far too highly of myself, in fact, that false thinking can start to creep into my heart again if I’m not taking every thought captive to Christ, for His help in straightening me out.
I love the truth stated in this novel regarding God “rescuing you from yourself”– the truth is, God has rescued me from myself!
I give Him all the glory, praise, and thanksgiving for rescuing me from the fate I would have chosen for myself. A fate of a life lived outside of His will.
God rescued me from the depths of my sin, and He wants to rescue you also. [2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”]
The truth is, we are dead in our sins and transgressions [Ephesians 2:4-5: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”]
This is another quote from the same book:
“But the good thing is that feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth.”
Our culture is bent on allowing our feelings, our emotions, to drive us, to define us, and to define truth.
But God is the only One who has the right to define us and define truth, because He is our Creator! He defines us through the writings in His word, and His word is truth.
His word defines our purpose:
Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
That verse concludes Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes. Solomon, as the wisest man ever, concluded that nothing the world offered compares to a personal relationship with God [my paraphrase of Solomon’s conclusion]. Solomon had everything the world offered. He proved for us that none of it could compare to the riches we have in Christ Jesus. If we learn from his hard lessons, we can save ourselves a lot of heartache.
Psalm 17:15, written by King David, reminds us also of what should satisfy us: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” We should be satisfied, now, with the knowledge that one day, as true followers of Christ, we will have an unhindered intimate relationship forever with Him, and knowing that we are made in His likeness should give us great contentment now. Nothing can compare to having a love relationship with Jesus!
What lie have you believed about your purpose, and how does the truth from God’s word help to set you free from that lie, so that you can rest in God’s grand purpose for you, His grand purpose of walking together in an intimate love relationship?
I found this summary regarding our purpose: “The purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We glorify God by fearing and obeying Him, keeping our eyes on our future home in heaven, and knowing Him intimately. We enjoy God by following His purpose for our lives, which enables us to experience true and lasting joy—the abundant life that He desires for us.”
Do you feel the bondage of your sin, the sin of attempting to attain fulfillment and finding purpose from the things of this world? If so, I would be glad to talk with you and share more about how you can find your grand purpose in God, as you are set free from slavery to sin, through the gift of Jesus Christ. Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
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Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.