“… we readily recognize meaning by its absence.”*

On a recent drive to work, I found myself staring at a message on the car in front of me. It read: One life. Live it.  Simple and profound enough, I thought. But the question begged, how to live it? The answer to that question for each person will either end with a punctuation mark or a question mark.

At the beginning of another year, we often find ourselves asking questions. What does this year hold for us? What are God’s plans for our future? Where does God want me to serve? Search for meaning and purpose can drive us to a plethora of paths. But unless we are walking in God’s purpose for our lives, we will end up at a dead end.

Psalm 127:1 says: “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” (ESV)

Without purpose, our time, talent and resources can be wasted. Whether that house is a church, an organization, or our own lives, we want our lives and our work to count. To matter. To make a difference – not only now, but eternally. Ultimately we want to live with purpose, and on purpose.

It might make things easier if there were a ‘Life for Dummies’ manual that we can easily turn to for answers. But the truth is, God has given us far better than that! He’s given us his Word and his Spirit to guide us.

Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV) or as stated in The Message: “By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

If we want to live intentionally, we can. God has given us all we need to follow and serve him effectively. We can plant His word in our hearts. We can avail ourselves to listen to His voice and let his Spirit lead us. We can make the most of opportunities that present themselves to us. We can live our lives with purpose, and on purpose!

 

* from A Life of Meaning (Reason Not Required), by Robert A. Burton, The Stone, Sept. 5, 2016

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