Goal. A statement of desired destination or intention.
Objective. How we plan to achieve our goal.
Here we are, January 2017, checking 2016’s accomplishments in the rearview mirror and looking through the windshield at the array of roads and deciding our destination. To make that determination we need purpose.
Purpose. The “why” that motivates us to action.
Without purpose we lose our sense of direction, to be tossed about at the whim of every circumstance. Instability.
Conversely, with purpose we gain FOCUS. We sit upright, belted in, on the right road and confidently accelerate forward. Possessing purpose produces the “why” of what we are doing. We have the vision, the goal, the objective, in mind and take action based upon the end result we have envisioned. Stability.
Possessing purpose produces the “why” of what we are doing.
James, the brother of Jesus, addressed the concept of stability. In his writing he instructed when we place our faith in God and ask for His wisdom, He will give it to us freely, without reserve. However, when we ask and then doubt, we are tossed about spiritually and emotionally. (James 1:5-8) That doubt is derived from lack of purpose.
God creates each of us with purpose. He intentionally places within us a unique combination of personality, abilities, talents, and gifts and these components work together to fulfill God’s purpose.
As Christians, we know our purpose is set forth in the Great Commission, found in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life. Our mission is to carry out the assignment to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, make disciples, baptize them, and show them how to follow Him. (Matthew 28:18-20) With our individuality, we each address this mission uniquely.
Jesus taught that we, His disciples “…are the salt of the earth …” (Mt 5:13) Salt performs a specific function. While salt adds flavor, it does so by changing what it touches. Salt is used to cure meat products because it first kills microorganisms in the meat. Secondly, as the salt is poured over the meat, it pulls the water from the inside, allowing the salt to enter and flavor it from the inside out. Salt is the agent of change to the meat. When Jesus spoke about those who carry His name being the “salt of the earth,” he meant, as we (the salt) go into the world, we will change it.
Jesus pours the salt of Truth into us and it changes us, curing us of our sin and sinful natures. As we are continuously being cured for every good work in the Lord, we are taking that same salt into the world and pouring it onto others. As we pour the salt of the Gospel into the lives of other people their lives are changed. We are to be the agent of change in this world for the Kingdom of God.
Our goals and resolutions are derived from our purpose and there is joy, along with the experience of satisfaction and accomplishment, which accompany fulfilling that purpose.
We each bring our unique flavor to the world by living in it and sharing Christ, salting our sphere of influence, making it different from when we arrived.
Know your purpose.
Stand firm in it.
Salt the earth.
Change the world!
