May 27, 2019
Finding Your True Purpose
Elisa Pulliam
Today’s Truth
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8, NLT)
Friend to Friend
I love it when I read a portion of Scripture and it feels like it's the first time I've ever come across a particular concept. Have you had that experience?
God's Word is so rich and complex, and His grace is so far and wide that He allows us to soak up what we need for the moment through our Bible reading, knowing that there will be a time when He'll take us deeper.
The Spirit reveals to us a timeless principle for a timely application.
The Holy Spirit, at work in us by faith in Jesus Christ, awakens us to the very truth we need in that particular situation. But there is one catch. We have to be in the Word to be taught and transformed by it. We have to put legs to our faith through regular Bible reading so that we can continue to grow in our understanding of God’s promises and respond to His calling. Peter describes this process in 2 Peter 1:5-8:
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our spiritual life isn't simply a matter of faith confessed from our lips. It isn’t just about reading the Bible and forsaking to apply what we learn. Our faith necessitates very specific actions that will lead to incredible outcomes. From this passage alone, we’re promised that moral excellence combined with knowledge and self-control, patient endurance and godliness with brotherly affection, is what enables us to love everyone. Who among us doesn’t need a little help in showing others love? I certainly know I do!
Moment-by-moment we get to choose to live out our faith intentionally, and when we do, we get to be God’s love in this world while experiencing productivity and usefulness. Oh sisters, if that's not a life-changing thought, I don't know what is.
The life of purpose we inherently crave is found in living wholeheartedly for God, growing in our knowledge of Jesus more and more.
Our purpose has nothing to do with our career or ministry. It's not about a relationship status or a prestigious degree. It's not about completing a "to do" list or accomplishing another project.
Our purpose is found when we dig deep into the Word, uncover the character of God, and choose to put our faith into action through the way we live. It is this intentional process that leads to the life we crave, as we come to know Jesus more and more and become more like Him in this world in need of Kingdom hope and impact.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, please give our faith legs to walk in obedience to Your Word and in response to Your love. May our faith grow as we realize our purpose found in our identity as Your chosen, holy, and beloved daughters!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How have you been looking for your purpose in your career, relationships, and accomplishments? What if your purpose was found by the way you live out your faith and grow according to God’s Word and in your knowledge of Jesus?
More from the Girlfriends
Elisa Pulliam is a coach, author, podcaster, and speaker passionate about helping women savor life every day and cultivate a meaningful legacy. She is the founder of More to Be, a ministry devoted to helping women experience a fresh encounter with God and His Word so they may live transformed and impact this world with kingdom hope. She is the author of Meet the New You, Unblinded Faith, Impact Together, and Brave Together, in which she shares practical steps to help you move towards God’s best for your life. Elisa is also the founder of It Is Well, where she helps women simplify the transition into wellness by cultivating a whole food and toxin-free lifestyle for themselves and their families. She is enjoying the adventure of being married to Stephen for 22 years and raising their brood of teenagers together. Connect with Elisa at MoretoBe.com and ItIsWell.us.
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Originally published Monday, 27 May 2019.
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