Volume 06, Issue 13: The Purpose of Life

Each of our lives is a pentathlon of five purposes, which we should strive to keep in balance. These are the five key things which summarize why we are here, what life is all about.

1.    Worship

What is the center of your life? Who are you living for? What are you building your life around? You can center your life around career, family, a sport or hobby, money, having fun, or many other activities. These are all good things, but they don’t belong at the center of your life. None is strong enough to hold you together when life starts breaking apart. You need an unshakable center. When God is at the center, you worship. Is living for God’s glory the supreme goal of your life?

We were planned for God’s pleasure, so our purpose is to love God through worship. Worship is our first responsibility to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes.

God did not need to create us, but he chose to create us for his own enjoyment. We exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose, and his delight. Bringing glory to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life.

What is worship? It is far more than singing in Church or praying. Worship is far more than music. Worship is a lifestyle. Real worship is all about falling in love with Jesus.

2.    Fellowship

What is the community of your life? Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The only way to get into God’s family is by being born again into it. The invitation to be part of God’s family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus.

When we place our faith in Jesus, God becomes our Father, and we become his children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family.

Following Jesus is not just a matter of believing; it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God. We were formed for God’s family, so our second purpose is to share God’s message through fellowship.

3.    Discipleship

What is the character of your life? What kind of person are you becoming? God is far more interested in what we are than what we do. We were created to become like Christ, so our third purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship. Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel, and act.

God’s ultimate goal for our lives on earth is character development. He wants us to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn’t want to destroy it. Christlikeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality.

4.    Service

What is the contribution of your life? What is your ministry to the Body of Christ? Knowing your combination of spiritual gifts, passion, abilities, personality, and experiences, what is your best role in the family of God? While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn’t meet the needs of everyone while here on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help. Each of us bears different fruit.

We were shaped for serving, so our purpose is to show love for others through ministry. Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. They were given to benefit others.

You were put on earth to make a contribution. You weren’t created just to consume resources – to eat, breath, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. This is God’s fourth purpose for your life, and it is your ministry, your service.

5.    Mission

What is the communication of your life? We were made for a mission, so our purpose is to share God’s message to unbelievers through evangelism. God doesn’t want his love and purposes kept a secret. Once we know the truth, he expects us to share it with others.

Being a Christian includes being sent into the world as a representative of Jesus Christ. The mission is introducing people to God. Fulfilling your mission in the world is God’s fifth purpose for your life.

We have the greatest news in the world, and sharing it is the greatest kindness we can show to anyone. We must remember that no matter how contented or successful people appear to be, without Christ they are hopelessly lost and headed for eternal separation from God. Everybody needs Jesus.

We need to get started on our mission of reaching out to others with the message of God's love. This does not mean you should quit your job to become a full-time evangelist. God wants us to share the Good News where we are. As a worker, a student, a parent, a teacher, a manager; whatever you do, you should continually look for people God places in your path with whom you can share the gospel.

David served God’s purposes in his generation. No wonder God called David “a man after my own heart.” David dedicated his life to fulfilling God’s purposes on earth. Like Esther, God created each of us “for such a time as this.” Will you serve God’s purpose in your generation? One day history will come to a close, but eternity will go on forever. Let’s prepare for it by serving God’s purposes in our generation.

Lillian Chebosi