Matthew 6:30-33 “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
What is the purpose of life? and what is my purpose? are two of the main questions in every culture and demands answer. Having the “right” foundation for our primary purpose allows us to live in the peace and satisfaction of a productive and purposeful life. It centers on the Christian truth that man’s primary purpose is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. The Gospel calls us to live for the glory of God. Deuteronomy 13:4 tells us, “You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
Without this primary purpose, the secondary purposes are based on secular humanistic desires and standards. Value and virtues would be established and centered on “what in” and the latest social trend. Do you see people in your world who are caught-up in the latest entertainment trends, fashion trends, fitness trends, food trends, gadget trends, internet trends, online trends, pop culture trends, and retail trends? Though temporal, these distractions to have the “right” things, go to the “right” places with the “right” people by doing whenever you want, whenever you want, seems to occupy the minds and time of our culture to the point of defining pursuit of happiness. The word trendy is defined as pertaining to the latest trend or style. Being up-to-date with what is currently in fashion, accepted, and that a lot of other people copy. Trends, crazes and the latest fads are not supposed to define us or our purpose. What defines you and why?
Jeremiah 49:20 & Jeremiah 50:45 “Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord … and His purposes that He has proposed.”
I mentioned in my testimony talk to the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, that I am grateful for one particular school teacher in Ninth grade who took time each day to teach us students about the deceptions in advertising to decoy and play upon our minds in order to lure and persuade the public into buying their products and services. How does three different restaurants say that they have the “best hamburger in town”? Define the subjectional word “best”. The Lottery tempts people to pay and play with the opportunity of winning millions of dollars, but the odds of winning either the Powerball or Mega Millions are roughly 1 in 292.2 million and 1 in 302.6 million, respectively. It’s more likely to get hit by lightning twice in the same day. Ads seduce and entice our mind, flesh and soul desires to get us to believe that we need, want and pay for their merchandise, foodstuffs, or amenities. Trends are no exceptions. Do you really want to be the only person not owning one, enjoying them, missing out, or looking different? The peer-pressure is a major factor. Why?
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Proverbs 29:25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
When our primary purpose is founded firmly in God, then our secondary purposes are aligned with God’s purposes for this world and us that we may walk in them. May this be our purpose statement today. Fun, pleasure, entertainment, relationships, position, influence, and even trend-setting are built upon the rock of God’s Will, the holy Word of God and our Savior’s work with the mindset of kingdom first dedication, devotion and desire.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
In Christ, Brian
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