Uncovering the True Purpose of Our Existence
At the heart of every Christian’s journey lies a profound truth: our ultimate destiny is to become like Christ. Yet, when asked about their purpose, many believers tend to focus on what they do for God, rather than who they are becoming in Him.
A Misconception About Destiny
We often mistake our gifts, callings, or ministry functions as the core of our destiny. But it’s not what we do for the Lord that defines us; it’s what we become to Him that truly matters. Our inner transformation, the deliberate surrender of our heart and soul to God, is what shapes our true progress.
A Deeper Reality
As we navigate the seasons of life, our responsibilities and gifts may change, but becoming like Christ remains the constant, underlying reality that must develop within us. I’ve had the privilege of serving God in various capacities throughout my 66 years, but I’ve never confused my calling with my destiny. Becoming like Jesus is why we exist.
The Dangers of Misplaced Focus
We’ve seen ministry leaders with extraordinary gifts and callings, only to be shocked by their secret struggles with sin. This occurs when we prioritize the development of our gifts over our character. When our primary goal is to master our calling rather than our inner transformation, we become vulnerable to deception.
The Empty Performance
As we master our gifts, our outward spirituality may be convincing, but inwardly, our soul can become bored with our staged, religious performance. The challenge of our calling disappears, and a door opens to the world of the flesh. It’s then that we realize the life that truly sustains us is not drawn from seeking our calling, but from seeking the Caller Himself.
The Pursuit of Christlikeness
Scripture reminds us, “Desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). The life that fills us is not found in seeking our calling, but in seeking Christ. This was Paul’s goal when he wrote, “That I may know Him.” His focus was on being conformed to Christ’s death, and it was this pursuit that led him to live a transcendent life that unfolded “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Purpose of Our Existence
God created us to be “in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:27 AMP). The image of God is Christ, and it’s our conformity to Christ that fulfills the purpose of our existence. We don’t need crowds or applause to affirm our ministry; when we pursue the image of Christ, we possess the meaning of life.
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