Young Reena had just finished with her painting. “It looks awesome,” she told herself. She carefully took it with both her hands and rushed to her parents. “Daddy, see what I have painted.” Her parents did admire the daughter’s painting. Soon, this painting started inviting more attention, as Reena showed it to friends and relatives. Each time someone appreciated her painting, Reena would feel excited about it. With every compliment, Reena seemed to like her painting even more. Well, this is the kind of feeling you would have had when you made your first boat, or drew your first picture (you would now call it ‘scribble’).
It must have been the same feeling that God had after He created us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:31 that “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” How joyful God must have been after making man in His own image. But why did this great, big and holy God take time to create you and me? Going back to Reena’s painting, why did she spend so many days, or even months doing that painting? So that it would give her joy and pleasure. Not just her, but also the others who see it. Same with us. God created us so that we would please Him and love Him. We read in the Bible that “all things were created by Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16) Each time God looks at us, we want Him to say “Wow! Look at my child, the very work of My Hands. It is good.” Yeah, that’s why He made us.
Prasanna’s life is about pleasing parents. For another friend, “life would be meaningless if not for her husband”! For most others, life is just about themselves. Any of these purposes would only end in frustration. Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life puts it like this: “You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Sure enough, life is getting nowhere if Christ has no place in it. But, we certainly differ from Reena’s painting. The poor painting has no other choice but to delight people. But, God has given us the freedom to choose. The only way to live a life of purpose is to begin a relationship with Jesus. How? Just tell Jesus that you want Him to lead your life (and mean it).
Life does not stop with saying “Hi” to the Holy One. You need to go on. Like what? You’ve got to live a life that pleases Jesus. This means a complete change in motives. When you clean your room, it’s not because mom wants it cleaned, but so that you will please God. You study, not for grades, but for God.
When you start doing this, check out what Psalm 91:9, 10 promises. “If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” Let’s move on to Psalm 91:14 ““Because he loves me”, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name.”” You feel secured, don’t you? The Lord Himself will protect us. Though there is trouble all around, we rest in our Refuge. When you have learned to live your purpose, you would gladly join King David in declaring, “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) What does God protect from? Everything – danger, trouble, sin, devil, sinful influence of the world, to name just a few. Every time you catch yourself thinking there is nowhere to go and no one to trust, remember, the Maker is just a whisper away.
It must have been the same feeling that God had after He created us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:31 that “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” How joyful God must have been after making man in His own image. But why did this great, big and holy God take time to create you and me? Going back to Reena’s painting, why did she spend so many days, or even months doing that painting? So that it would give her joy and pleasure. Not just her, but also the others who see it. Same with us. God created us so that we would please Him and love Him. We read in the Bible that “all things were created by Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16) Each time God looks at us, we want Him to say “Wow! Look at my child, the very work of My Hands. It is good.” Yeah, that’s why He made us.
Prasanna’s life is about pleasing parents. For another friend, “life would be meaningless if not for her husband”! For most others, life is just about themselves. Any of these purposes would only end in frustration. Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life puts it like this: “You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Sure enough, life is getting nowhere if Christ has no place in it. But, we certainly differ from Reena’s painting. The poor painting has no other choice but to delight people. But, God has given us the freedom to choose. The only way to live a life of purpose is to begin a relationship with Jesus. How? Just tell Jesus that you want Him to lead your life (and mean it).
Life does not stop with saying “Hi” to the Holy One. You need to go on. Like what? You’ve got to live a life that pleases Jesus. This means a complete change in motives. When you clean your room, it’s not because mom wants it cleaned, but so that you will please God. You study, not for grades, but for God.
When you start doing this, check out what Psalm 91:9, 10 promises. “If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” Let’s move on to Psalm 91:14 ““Because he loves me”, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name.”” You feel secured, don’t you? The Lord Himself will protect us. Though there is trouble all around, we rest in our Refuge. When you have learned to live your purpose, you would gladly join King David in declaring, “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7) What does God protect from? Everything – danger, trouble, sin, devil, sinful influence of the world, to name just a few. Every time you catch yourself thinking there is nowhere to go and no one to trust, remember, the Maker is just a whisper away.
