Day #2: Tuesday, January 5th

It Was God's Idea

Scripture References: 
​Prov. 11:28, Jer. 17:7-8, Eph. 1:11, Jer. 33:3

Devotional

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:16)

The phrase “by Him” tells us that all things, including your life, were initiated by God.  If you want to know why you were placed on this earth, you must begin with God.  You were born by his purpose and for His purpose.
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The mistake that so many make is that they try to think their way through the map of their own understanding in search of their purpose and meaning.  That will never work because the scripture says,

“In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?” (Job 12:10). 

"For in Him we live and move and have our being…” ​(Acts 17:28)

Instead of asking selfish questions like: What should I do with my life?  What are my dreams for my future?  Ask God the most important question: “Lord, what is Your big idea for my life?” You didn’t create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for.  If you were to walk into a trade show of brand new inventions and approach something you had never seen before, you would not know its purpose much less identify what it is. Only the creator could reveal its purpose.  In your search for God’s purpose always begin with God, your Creator.  As you begin this new year, release the reins of your life and let God use you for His purposes, instead of using Him for your own purposes.  

Our human nature default thinking usually leads us to assume or speculate what our purpose is.  Don’t assume that just because your parents did something that you should follow the same path.  And whatever you do, don’t guess your purpose as if you were playing a matching game.  Turn over a tile until you find one that matches what seems attractive to you.  Instead, get a revelation about God’s purpose for your life through His Word.  The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it.  Remember His words, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jer 33:3). Why not do that regarding the purpose for your life?

God is the source of your life so building your life on eternal truths is essential to determining His purpose for your life.  Receive comfort from this word,  “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.  Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Eph 1:11 MSG)

Wrap your thinking around this:  God planned your life before you existed, and He did it without your input.  You may choose your vocation, your spouse, and your hobbies , but only God chooses your purpose.  

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to recognize you as Creator of my purpose and not only the things I see around me.
Reveal to me Your idea and plan for my life.
I will no longer assume or guess my way through life.
Instead, I build my life on the foundation of Your Word.
Thank you for working out your overall purpose in my life.”