In this world we are constantly indoctrinated with the word "purpose." From companies to churches, the idea of purpose has become a slogan. Famous pastors like Rick Warren want to sell you books like, "The Purpose Driven Life." CEOs of the largest companies want to convince you that you will only find purpose if you join their ranks. Even the Education System has done a campaign to compel people to go to the college, because without a degree they say you will not find your purpose.
I for one grow weary of how exploited this English word has been. I am also very disturbed by the notion that you can find purpose outside of Christ, especially in Churches. The mindset is that your ultimate purpose will derive from something you do. That if you become a teacher, athlete, musician, movie star, or any of the other professions you will find your purpose. It is true that these passions can add a sense of joy and excitement to your life. However, they in of themselves are not capable of giving you lasting purpose. If you become a teacher, there will be a day when you lose the zeal you once had to teach or you might not be able to afford just teaching. If you become an athlete, there is a clock on your body that eventually ticks to the point that you can no longer do the incredible feats you once did. If you are a musician you will inevitably write your greatest song, create your greatest album, and give your greatest tour and then it is all downhill from there. If you are movie star you will get your best role or you may never get a breakout role, Hollywood is a cutthroat business and the price of fame itself can destroy a person's soul.
What if we have been lied to? What if the slogan coming from companies, churches, schools, and the media is false? What if the greatest purpose of all is to merely be in God's presence. What if that could make us content? In the Garden of Eden Adam gave up the presence of God and a close connection with the Creator for the Forbidden Fruit. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then came to cover the forbidden choice and to restore a close relationship with the Father, Him, and the Holy Spirit. For some reason we still insist on living like we have just left Eden and we continue to toil on this Earth, choosing vain pleasures and a purpose that will always leave us empty without God's presence.
If we look closely at Eden, we will see a pattern of how it was suppose to be. We were to be in the perpetual presence of God. We were to steward the Earth; take care of animal, plant life, and everything else. Finally, we were to build God's family by having children and populating the world. I am certain we would have evented things as we have today (only without destroying God's creation) and I believe literature, music, and all the beautiful outlets to express emotion and thought would exist. The difference is that we would find complete purpose in God and fulfillment. It was God who looked upon Adam and saw that he was lonely and thus created Woman. If there is anything lacking, our Lord and Savior provides. But the world's message of purpose is the opposite. It claims that you can have purpose without God and feel complete without his presence. This folly is dooming many, and it is time that the saints speak up and tell the world that purpose can only be found in Christ, not in the book of a Mega Church pastor, corporate CEO pamphlet, academic certificate, or Media power point. True purpose is only found in a deeply connected and close relation with Christ.
Even if we buy into the world's definition of purpose, we will find ourselves empty. There is a longing inside us to be apart of something transcendent. We all want to participate in something that has deep purpose. Something that is not merely a boost to our ego or rewarded by the treasures of this earth. Just look at how many people adhere to different religions. They are all seeking a purpose and meaning that cannot be found in all the wealth, relationships, and pleasures of this Earth. Where they error is that they are looking in the wrong place. It is Christ who is the doorway to the purpose we all seek. The void inside us grows when we feed it with adrenaline, alcohol, caffeine. dope, exercise, food, friendships, nicotine, possessions, sex, and work. The black hole in our souls cannot be filled by the empty purposes (pleasures) of this life. Only by surrendering our lives to Christ and deciding to let his presence fill that chasm inside us, will we finally find true purpose.
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