So many people spend a great deal of time searching for their purpose in life. The movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” comes to mine. George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart, gets to see how the lives of those he loves would have been drastically changed if he hadn’t been around.
About thirty years back, society became aware of a new condition, the mid-life crisis. People were disillusioned, ending marriages, acting irrationally, searching for their purpose. I wish I could say that Christians aren’t effected by such behavior but we are. Everyone wants to know why we’re here and how our lives can make a difference.
“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV
There are so many in the Bible who thought they really had no purpose – Esther, a young Jewish girl ended up saving her people from annihilation. Gideon, a fearful farmer, defeated a vast army with only 300 hundred men. A young boy had Jesus use his sack lunch to feed a multitude.
Shepherds, possibly feeling they were unappreciated and unacceptable to society, were given the responsibility of spreading the news that the Messiah had been born. Joseph was just a carpenter but he was called to bring up Jesus in a loving home. Mary, a young girl, dreaming of her marriage to a carpenter was asked to be the mother of God’s Son.
Jesus, God’s Son, was asked to give up heaven so that He could bring salvation to all mankind.
“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 ERV
Each one was willing to live a life of purpose. They all had to trust God, overcome obstacles and self-doubt to fulfill the plan God had for them. We too, have a call of God on our lives.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 CEV
Our purpose is almost identical to the one the shepherds received. We have been given the work of sharing God’s message of peace with those around us. I’m so thankful that someone shared that message with me and that I can now share it with you.
I have a song to share with you this morning that may be unknown to many but the story is one of purpose. I believe it was written by Barbara Mandrell, I know she is the one who recorded it.
Shepherds gaze in wonder
While angel voices sing
This night of nights has come
And brought the world the long-awaited King
The earth is filled with gladness
And yet the heavens weep
For heaven’s eyes can see
He was born to die for me
Jesus
Baby Jesus
Is that a tear in your eye
Jesus
Baby Jesus
You must know you were born to die
It must have broken God’s heart
For the future He could see
Yet He formed His hands and feet
Knowing one day they’d be nailed to a tree
So all the world could know it
A gift came from above
For God so loved the world
That He gave His only Son
Jesus
Baby Jesus
With a tear of love in your eye
Jesus
Baby Jesus
You knew you were born to die
Father, thank you for giving me a purpose. Thank you that my life is important enough that you sent Jesus to bring me salvation!