THE PRIMACY OF PURPOSE (4)

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. MY PURPOSE is to give them a rich and satisfying LIFE” – John 10:10 (NLT)

The age-old search for the meaning of Life and Meaning in Life, underlines THE PRIMACY of PURPOSE: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. MY PURPOSE is to give them a rich and satisfying LIFE” (John 10:10 New Living Translation). A rich, satisfying, and meaningful life can be our reality only as we seek, discover, understand, and pursue the Purpose of the Creator of Life. The questions, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What is the reason for my existence?” “What is the meaning of my life?” are among the oldest humankind has grappled with. They lurk deep within the secret chambers of every human being, regardless of their race, color, gender, status, or nationality.

Philosophers over the ages have explored these seemingly illusive questions, but their efforts have ended in more questions than answers. The deepest craving of the human spirit is to find a sense of significance and relevance in life. This yearning is evidence of a vacuum in the human nature that needs to be filled. This age-old passion is the Pursuit of Purpose, a relentless reaching for a reason for the gift of life. Conscious or unconscious, this inner passion is what motivates and drives us as human beings, either directly or indirectly. It directs our decisions, controls our behavior, and dictates our responses to our environment.

Myles Munroe wrote in “The Pursuit of Purpose”: “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but LIFE WITHOUT a REASON. It is dangerous to be alive and not know why you were given life. One of the most frustrating experiences is to have time but not know why.” He defines Purpose as: “The original intent for the creation of a thing, the original reason for the existence of a thing, the end for which the means exist, the cause for the creation of a thing, the desired result that initiates production, the need that makes a manufacturer produce a specific product, the destination that prompts the journey, the expectation of the source, the objective for the subject, the aspiration for the inspiration, and...” Purpose is the original intent in the mind of the Creator that motivated Him to create particular things.

It’s an unfortunate reality that many people live with a quiet desperation and some die plagued by the vague disquiet that somehow, they have “missed it.” Others wander aimlessly attempting to solve the puzzle posed by life. Undoubtedly, salvation is the most important element in time and eternity, but there are many truly saved Christians who still feel unfulfilled even as they agonize, fast and pray in an attempt to sooth the nagging notion that there is something more to life. Despite being filled with the Holy Spirit, an inner longing for fulfilment persists! Quite often, it’s a Hunger and Thirst for Purpose in Life – finding Meaning in Life!