Aim Your Life On Purpose Series

Arrows; Aim Your Life on Purpose

One of the great questions in life is, “Why am I here?”.

We all naturally want to know is there is any purpose to this thing we call life?

This is because seeking fulfillment in life is almost a universal phenomenon.

• And the primary problem stems from the fact that while most everybody knows when they were born, very few know why they were born - and so we are all searching for meaning.

• Your alarm clock can tell you what time to wake up, but it cannot tell you ‘why’ to wake up.

Even this morning, if I were to ask by show of hands, how many people believe that God has a purpose for their lives, almost every hand would be raised.

• Yet if I were to ask how many know their God-given life-purpose, the number of raised hands would drop.

• The truth is most people are living life without knowing what their purpose is.

• Nevertheless, we all yearn to live meaningful lives.

There are discussions everywhere we turn about how to be successful, but how can you define success if you can’t define purpose?

How can you hit the mark if you don’t even know the target?

This morning I want us to look at Psalm 127 as we explore the idea of Purpose and aiming our lives on purpose.

Psalm 127:1-5 (NIV)

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

This particular Psalm is one of 15 psalms known as the Songs of Ascent.

• These songs were sung as people traveled to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals.

• The trip was an uphill journey and the songs helped remind them of the purpose of the journey.

• 4 of the songs are attributed to David; This one to Solomon and the rest unknown.

The theme of this one is God’s Blessing on Man’s efforts!

• None of us want our efforts to be in vain

• To Aim Your Life on Purpose; You Must Understand the Purpose for Your Aim!

(That can be difficult when…) One of the most destructive lies of today is the idea that God does not have a purpose for your life, or that you cannot know that purpose.

• You are here by chance or accident. Your existence is random.

• You see, the truth is, that until you find your God-given purpose, life tends to be driven by self-preservation and self-promotion.

• In other words, I become my agenda.

• But when I discover God’s purpose for my life suddenly, there is something greater than I am, something worth aiming my life towards.

Thomas Carlyle wrote, "A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder - a waif, a nothing, a no man."

(in other words) “A Bow without an Arrow”; “An Arrow Without a Target”!

Life Has a Purpose and that purpose is knowable…

• Your Purpose Makes You Unique (people seeking uniqueness)

• Purpose is the Key to Fulfillment in life

• God Desires to Accomplish His Purpose in Your Life by helping you find yours!

• You long to know it, and the God of the Universe wants you to, so it is attainable!

So where do we start?

Solomon gives us a great start!

Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

There is a word we hear thrown around a lot today. DYSFUNCTIONAL!

• Families are dysfunctional

• Businesses are dysfunctional

• Governments are dysfunctional

• Since mankind’s failure in the Garden of Eden, the world is dysfunctional!

Building a functional life and family with a sense of purpose in a world of dysfunction, is quite the undertaking!

We start each stage of life with great dreams… but we soon discover

• It takes longer than planned.

• It costs more than you figured.

• It’s messier than you anticipated.

• In fact. It requires greater determination and more patients than expected!

(as we study society) It is becoming more and more evident that Home life is a key component in finding purpose!

That doesn’t mean it is going to be easy, but with God’s help it can be done!