Created for Purpose
We are told in Genesis 2 that God formed man from dust…of all things!
Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
Later we are told in chapter 2 that He made woman from the man’s rib!
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22
The great news regarding our own “createdness” (is that a word? Guess it should be!), is that God has created each of us with a unique calling, and, He created all of us with the purpose of worshiping Him. I’ve been reminded of this as I recently read Seven Words of Worship. This book looks at worship based on the 7 realities we learn in Experiencing God (one of my all time fav studies!). One chapter in particular reminded me of this topic of being created for a purpose.
The authors point out 5 key truths regarding our creation in chapter 6:
- Purpose precedes creation
- Purpose determines design
- Our purpose coincides with our gifts and abilities
- Our purpose is designed in our nature
- Our purpose requires a disciplined response
So, let’s relate these truths to our own lives. We know through Psalm 139 that God knew what He was creating us to become, BEFORE we were in our mother’s womb. He knew what we were to do as His creation and how we were to serve Him. So, that takes care of #1! Because He is God, we must understand that He gets to choose this for us.
#2 tells us that the way in which God designed us was determined by that purpose He chose for us. He didn’t accidentally make us too short, too introverted, or not smart enough. He didn’t accidentally have us born to the wrong parents, in the wrong year, in the wrong location! Ephesians 2:10 (my life verse, by the way) was cited along with #2 to remind us that He prepared ahead of time our exact design for His purpose.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
We see in #3, the gifts and abilities that He has given us are for the very purpose for which he created us. Here we are reminded of the many parts of the body of Christ, all necessary, all fitting together perfectly (Romans 12:4-8).
And #4 says God designed our very nature to draw us to particular activities in which we can serve Him. Our nature also cries out for relationship with Him.
#5 is the kicker. In Genesis, after the fall, the first two human beings ever created were given the job of being fruitful, having dominion over the earth, and multiplying the human race. I actually studied this in Everyday Theology the same day I read chapter 6 in this book!
So, this really got my attention. The author of Everyday Theology also referred to Ephesians 2:10 along with the Genesis passage. My summary of that day’s study was, “I am uniquely created to bear God’s image to the world and I must choose HIS ways.“
Point #5 is important. We now have to intentionally choose to become the person God created us to be, and do what God created us to do.
“But I want to do what God created and called HER to do!” “My purpose is too small…too big…too easy…too hard…too public…too personal.” What we say to God, our very authority over us, is “I don’t want to!”
I’ve often shared a favorite quote by T. W. Hunt, “When God gives us a command to do something, we don’t need to understand His directive, we need to understand His authority!” As His creation, He gets to choose our purpose.
My words, so similar to those of Moses in Exodus 4:10, were “I would NEVER be a public speaker!” Oops, well, then came my choice when He called. Obey or not. Point #5 says we must respond with discipline, as well as obedience, even when it’s hard and not what WE planned for our lives! And that discipline requires daily time in His Word, continual worship, and unceasing prayer.
When we begin to live this disciplined walk with Christ, we desire to respond in obedience out of love for Him! Even when it’s the most difficult thing we have to do, we do it anyway. As we do, we get to watch God work to do what we cannot do. And He is the one who gets all the glory.
According to this book, that’s worship! That’s what I’m praying for, aren’t you? Here’s the prayer that ended chapter 6 in Seven Words of Worship:
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with purpose and for a purpose! Help me to see how Your design of my life has given me a unique place in your Kingdom. Amen.
Yes, Sister, each of us was uniquely created for His purpose! Let’s live like it.
Banner photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
