As a reminder, this series is being written for those who sense they are in a season of transition – a call by God to more kingdom adventure. God has a way to maximize the “more” of that adventure. It includes preparation, and discovery of purpose, before planning and execution.
We are currently in the discovery phase – seeking to hear and understand God’s purpose for the next season of our lives. In our previous article, we learned that our purposes are contextualized and constrained by God ultimate purpose – to restore the reign, habitation and intimacy He lost in mankind’s rebellion.
Mankind’s fall was more devastating that we can imagine. God’s desire to include us in the restoration has introduced a complexity that we simply cannot fathom. His patience and long-suffering leaves us wanting for greater exclamations of praise and worship!
God is a process-oriented problem solver. The solution to the problem mankind introduced in the rebellion is a process that includes many “good works”. Strung together – in process – these culminate in the restoration of all things dear to God.
You may not have considered this: Our desire and willingness to be prepared, and to discovered His purposes for us, is a form of worship – perhaps even more than the work itself. If this is our heart’s desire, the time invested will not be wasted; for we will emerge with faith for the good works that await us.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
There is a truth, hidden in these verses, that will radicalize your walk with God. It comes in the form of a very small word – the “For”, at the beginning of verse ten. Now get this: That little word turns verse ten from a simple statement of fact (i.e., “we are”), to the very reason for our salvation.
Read the passage again and consider this: Jesus became sin, that we would become the righteousness of God (2Corinthians 5:21) … so that we might walk in the good works that accomplish God’s purposes.
These good works – in the great process of His story – will accomplish His ultimate purpose: To once again reign over, inhabit, and enjoy intimacy with His people. God has put a desire in each of our hearts for the good work that we should walk in. He has promised to give us those desires (Psalm 37:4).
Therefore, the starting point for our discovery of God’s purpose is to search our heart for that desire. Once you find it (or if you cannot), ask God to breathe on it – that it would become undeniable in its potency.
God bless you with the knowledge of the fullness of His will for the next season of your life.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob