Years ago, I was discouraged in my pastoral leadership. I did not doubt my calling, but I was despondent concerning my contribution. I did not feel fruitful, and I was lacking expectation.
One morning, after reading 1 John 3, I found myself reflecting on the life-giving revelation of God’s purposes. This reflection has remained an encouragement to me. 1 John 3:8: “The Son of God appeared for this purpose” (NASB).
God is purposeful: No exercise of His might, no declaration of His wisdom, and no expression of His love is trivial, capricious or random.
God is purposeful: He does not say one thing and do another. He does not undermine His own advance through indecision or retraction. He does not take three steps forward and two steps back.
God is purposeful: He is undeterred, unhindered and undistracted. His love is resolute, and His tenderness is relentless. Therefore, He will never turn away until He has accomplished everything that He has purposed within the counsel of His will.
God is purposeful: In Jesus dwelled the fullness of God and the fullness of God’s purpose. In Jesus, God purposed to become man in order to take up our case. In Jesus, God closes the breach between God and us for which we are responsible.
God is purposeful: At the very point where we refuse and fail, offend and provoke, miss our destiny and tread underfoot our dignity, God purposed to intervene as a man in the person and work of Jesus.
God is purposeful: He makes no mistakes. He has no regrets. He faces our future with unrestricted liberty, uncompromising devotion, unlimited resources, unbounded wisdom and unconditional love.
God is purposeful: Before your parents conceived you, He conceived you. You are neither an accident nor the fruit of a moment’s passion. You were deliberately fashioned and richly endowed. You were born of God’s purpose, and you were born for God’s purpose.
Let me close with a fact and a promise. It is a fact that your life is meaningful to God—He saved you. And you can depend upon this promise: Your lifetime will be meaningful to many because He has sent you.
God is purposeful. Hallelujah!
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