Living Life On Purpose

God is so good to me. He's granted me 678,474, 468 plus seconds to live my life. I'm thankful that he has been faithful to me even when I am unfaithful to him. Recently and unexpectedly, I lost a dear childhood friend, Rachael. She was so full of life and joy. She was in fact light to this world whom Jesus used. I miss her so much and realize even though she is no longer walking this earth, she is alive and well with Jesus.  It is through her life and even in her death, the Lord brought to mind a very sobering thought.

Why am I wasting my life? Why am I running from the calling that the Lord has on my life? Why do I constantly worry about whether or not I'll be married? These are only a few questions that have come to my heart and mind. I should not worry in these questions but run to the one who has given both a physical life and renewed heart and mind in him. Don't waste your life on meaningless things of this world but find an adventure in the one who created the world. He has given us each a unique calling and we ought to run after it as the Lord leads us.

Now I know Valentines day is tomorrow and many single pringles like myself take the day and say "Hey! It's Single Appreciation Day," but I have learned being single is not as bad as it seems. Yes, I desire to be married. I believe God knows and sees my desire. In the past, I have worried and doubted whether he knew my desire and how I long companionship. I receive encouragement from the following verses:

•  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)  

 The 'confession of our hope' is Jesus Christ and the gospel. Instead of worrying about whether or not we will be single forever, cling to the hope of Jesus for he is forever faithful to all that he promises. A testimony in my life is my mom. She struggles but God is faithful to her as he takes care of her. 

• "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 ESV) 

This verse says many things but serves as a reminder that the work Christ has started will  be completed. It doesn't matter whether I am single or married, it matters that the work of Christ will be continued until he returns. Isn't that awesome? What a  faithful Savior we have! 

• "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:8-11 ESV)

God's purpose is always greater. His word is final. His promises are true. There is such a wonderful example of how the word of God goes forth in the middle of this short passage. His word brings forth so much more like field which grows a hundred fold. Jesus shares a parable in the gospels about the seeds as the word of God as it goes forth to the hearer. Listen to his still small voice as He speaks. Be humble and listen and read what the word of God has to say. I find when I humble myself before the Lord in devotions I learn more about my God and recognize my constant need for him in my life. I'm not going to lie, I struggle sometimes to get into the word and to read the words of life. Then I am constantly reminded of why I need to be reading the word of God through this passage and my life verse(s).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

In loving memory of Rachael, Andrew, Ruth,  and Mrs. Jones.