How amazing to know that not only are we not here by mistake but are intentionally, lovingly created. But we are also created because God, the God who created the universe and everything in it, wanted to have a relationship with us. This should change how we think about ourselves and also how we live our lives.
But maybe that doesn’t answer your questions of ‘what am I doing here?’, ‘what is my purpose’? Or maybe you are thinking well how it should affect the way I live. Once we accept God’s gift of forgiveness and we have that relationship with him, our job isn’t finished. As Christians we continue to have a Purpose.
And that is to very simply, make him known.
In our first module of this course, we discovered that we were made in the image of God, and because of that we reflect him. And again, there is no mistake in God’s creation.
Therefore, we have been given the ability and the responsibility to make God known and we can do that by how we live through reflecting him. To live our lives in a way that both honours and points to him and to be able to communicate to others about him and who he is.
That’s why he made us. To radiate him.
“You are the light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father”.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
In accepting Jesus as our saviour and living our lives for him we should glow like lights, reflecting him, showing people what he is like.
Now there is nothing worse than a little dim, flickering light when you need one so bright that can’t be hidden. And it is the same as we live our lives for God, there should be no question about it, by our actions alone, who and what we stand for should be as obvious as the lights of a city on a hill. No one is going to be attracted to a light that only works half the time, or one that flickers so much it can’t fulfil its purpose. We may find it hard at times to take our stand, to stand up against the crowd and honour God. We might find the thought of ridicule too much. But we are called to be lights, and people are attracted to the light, so be encouraged, persevere, and take your stand for God.
It is not something to try and hide or something we should be ashamed of or embarrassed about. After all when there is darkness, what good is it to try and hide the light, when it’s the very thing that people need.
Our world is full of darkness, and despair, so how much more important is it for us to radiate God amongst the darkness, to be that true light bringing hope to people. It’s up to them if they want to accept it, but it shouldn’t be up to them whether we show it or not, that’s on us.
Remember in all of this, your good deeds, living your life for God is not for your own recognition, it’s not about wanting people thinking you are a great person or living well to just keep God happy, it’s about pointing others to Him. Ultimately, we want to let our light shine so others will see God in us and praise him. It always has to go back to God because he is the one powerful enough to change a person’s life, not us. We are to be the beacon of truth and reflect God, always.
Making God known to others is not just something that is good to do, but as Christians God has commanded us to tell others about him.
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations baptising them in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
“For the Good News must first be proclaimed to all Nations”
Mark 13:10 (NLT)
Romans chapter 10 verse 13-15 “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go unless they are sent? That is why the scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet who bring good news!”
Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)
“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done”.
Psalm 105:1 (NLT)
Our purpose is very clear, share who God is with others. Evangelise, tell the truth of the Gospel, and live your life in a way that will show God.
Each of us, as Christians, have opportunities to share who God is. Not all of us will get the opportunity to do so in another country, or be called into full time ministry, but we ALL will have opportunities to share with people we meet. We all have a purpose to reach ‘our’ world, reach ‘your’ world with the gospel. That is your purpose. Your life mission. It doesn’t have to be a big show, it doesn’t even require you to stand in front of a crowd of people on a stage.
But as Jesus said in Matthew, be that light, share who God is how you live your life. Make decisions that always glorify God. Live with integrity, always doing what is right even if you think no one will know. Do the little things right as well as the big things.
You can try relational evangelism, share with a friend that you go to church, invite them along to an event. Show kindness to people, check in with your neighbours, go to the shop for them or help them around the house, simply get to know them and show you care you never know what kind of conversations you could end up having.
It is simply living your life unashamedly for God.
The best thing is this isn’t something we can or have to do by ourselves. Going to The Great Commission, Jesus said “I will be with you always”- we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to walk with us as Christians, to help give us boldness and courage to share who Jesus is. To guide us in how to make God honouring decisions. We have to trust him to help us, and not try to do it by ourselves.
Ultimately the more we know and love God, the deeper and more intimate our relationship s with him, the more we will want to share him. After all if we understand who God is, why would we want to keep that for ourselves?
None of us are here by accident, or just because. This isn’t just the way things are. You have been intentionally created, and lovingly thought of by God, the creator of the universe.
You were made for a purpose, and that was to have a relationship with God. To be adopted into his family. He gave up everything just for a chance that that would happen. But he gladly gave up his son to die on the cross and rise again because that is his heart.
And now not only has he given us the greatest gift of forgiveness, but the ability also to have a relationship with him here on earth and then for eternity. But he has also given us purpose. To make him known, to share what he has done in your life with others so that they may also have that relationship with him.
Written by Erin Thompson
