Purpose is the original intent for which something was created.
This goes to show that we are created for a purpose, and “life is meaningless and pointless without any purpose,” and in fact this is one of the biggest arguments that atheism cannot answer.
The manufacturer had a picture and an intent in mind before he created a product, therefore “purpose precedes product.” Therefore, to fully understand the purpose of a product, we need to go back to the manufacturer or the manual to know the intent or purpose behind it.
God is our creator, and everything was created through Him. The Bible says,
Colossians 1:16
[16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
And so it all starts with God. Purpose cannot be known or attained outside God. You cannot know the purpose behind a fan unless the manufacturer or the manual guide tells you that it is for “personal cooling, air circulation, and ventilation.” Ignorance of the purpose of the fan will only lead to abuse or misuse of it, and as the saying goes, “If the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable.”
It is important to note that successful living is not purposeful living. One can live a successful life in a field and be happy, and yet never attain God’s purpose for their life.
Jeremiah 1:5
[5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
God was speaking to Jeremiah here, and this is also true for us, that God knew us before we were born and He also shaped us for purpose and ministry.
According to Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, he talked about SHAPE to describe how God has uniquely equipped everyone for purpose and ministry.
S – Spiritual gifts: The special abilities God gives believers to serve.
H – Heart: Your passions, desires, interests, and what you genuinely care about.
A – Abilities: Your natural talents and skills.
P – Personality: The way God has uniquely made you, your temperament, and your way of relating to others.
E – Experiences: The events and circumstances of your life, including painful and positive experiences, which can equip you to help others.
None of these are random. They are how God created you for assignment and purpose. The Bible says,
Ephesians 2:10
[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
To be continued…
Purposeful Living 1
