What’s purpose got to do with anything?
I used to be a guy who was big on purpose. I thought humans needed to understand their purpose in order to be successful. I don’t believe that anymore and when I tell people that they get this glazed look in their eye. It’s becoming a familiar look actually.
This morning I cracked open my Oswald Chambers Book and there it was right in front of me.
“If we are in communion with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, we shall no longer try to find out what His purposes are. As we go on in the Christian Life it gets simpler, because we are less inclined to say –Now why did God allow this and that? If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and leisureliness which ought to characterize the children of God.”
I sometimes laugh when I hear people ask-What is my ministry? We want a clear definition of what it is we are going to be doing so we can have some sense of control over our lives. The problem with that school of thought is it limits what God can do with us. It’s like saying “have your way with me God as long as it fits into my long range plan.” It doesn’t work that way.
5 Comments
Leave a comment
Latest Comments
- Wanda Fisher- on How Far We’ve Slipped
- Matt on What inspires you?
- Laura West on A Story of Bravery
Thank you Rick, I needed this message today. I was awarded Social Security Disability this past week and it has really had me upset to think that I am disabled at such a young age, living on a very fixed income, limits to my personal life, etc. In other words I was feeling sorry for myself. Your thoughts touched me. Instead of trying to figure out my life as a fairly young “disabled person” I need to leave it alone and find out what God's purposes are for this occurring in my life. I have questioned so many times since March when I almost died asking why God allowed this. I claim to be a Child of God so it's time to not question, but let God take me into His purposes. I can do this because I Am A Child of God! Thanks again Rick for sharing your precious and personal comments. Love ya, Stacie
Well said Rick or should I say OC or should I say Holy Spirit!!!
Stay the course Rick,, more of Him less of us!!
I couldn't agree more.
Bryan
I find that I pretty much see the world in precisely the opposite way as Oswald Chambers does.
Hypothetically, is it not possible for God to express His purpose through our own expression of purpose? It isn't purpose itself that is the concern. It is what that purpose is for. For example, desire is looked at as bad. But desire for godliness is considered good. It is what the desire is for. So yes, purpose has everything to do with it.
But does ignoring purpose altogether help? Does ignoring purpose help you express God's purpose? How does it limit what God can do with you? Then what is the point of Christ's teachings? Why would a path be shown to you if you weren't meant to contemplate that path, set it as an example, and design your life to its satisfaction?
We want t a clear definition of what it is we are going to be doing so that we can do it and feel satisfaction. How is self control mutually exclusive to Godly control? Did Christ walk around aimlessly?
It always seems to me that Oswald Chambers is always tackling the wrong riddle. Specifically, riddles that don't exist. And never does it solve the underlying psychological problem.
Ben,
We just see things differently and some of your assumptions are not mine and that's cool. I don't see desire as a bad thing at all. Yes, we like to have a clear definition of what's ahead but the whole point here is, that's not possible and I don't care anymore. The last will be first…remember?
Ben,
We just see things differently and some of your assumptions are not mine and that's cool. I don't see desire as a bad thing at all. Yes, we like to have a clear definition of what's ahead but the whole point here is, that's not possible and I don't care anymore. The last will be first…remember?