Live A Purposeful Life

We long to live a purposeful life. One Christian author Rick Warren wrote a book, "The Purpose Driven Life", with a subtitle, "What on earth am I here for?" It turned out to be a bestseller, because that’s the cry of the human heart. We want to live life with meaning and purpose. I want to make my life count.

Do you want to live a fruitful life? That which is purposeful and useful? We need to learn from Jesus. He led a most satisfying life - pleasing to God and fulfils all that the Father expects from Him. Today we want to live the same kind of life.

Jesus need not have to ask the question, "What on earth am I here for?" It was clearly prophesied even before He was born. His parents need not have to think of a name for Him, like all parents do - His name was given even before He was born. His Name epitomizes His entire life purpose - He was born to save.

He lived only for 33 years, and completed what He was born to do. From His encounter with this Samaritan woman, Jesus showed us 3 guiding principles of life: (1) He lived His life knowing clearly His purpose; (2) He has the right priorities; (3) He was driven by a passion to fulfil God’s will.

1. Live Your Life With A Clear Purpose

Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Judea from the North (Galilee). If they had taken the normal route, they would not have passed Samaria. In fact, there are at least 3 different routes from Galilee to Judea, yet Jesus made a deliberate trip to stop at this place - Samaria. The Bible says in v.4 “Now he had to go through Samaria.”

Why? Because He knows His purpose – to bring the message of God’s love to the Samaritans. He has come to meet the woman at the well, and gave her the message of new life that He can offer – “living water”. And did He succeed? Yes, in fact, very well. The Bible says (v.39) “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.”

Jesus lived His life with a purpose – a very clear one.

John 6:38-40, Jesus says “38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Do you know your Father’s will? It all starts with God. People often ask, “So what do you want to achieve with your life?” This is not accurate. The right question for us is, “So what does God want you to achieve with your life?” The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfilment and happiness. It’s far greater than your family, career, and ambitions. God revealed to us, from Scriptures, the grand purpose of our life – to know Him and make Him known.

For some of us, we need to know Him more – devotion, prayer, worship, SS

For others, we want to make Him known – to those in our homes, offices, school.

Make this year a purposeful one. Let God accomplishes His will through you. God wants to work through you

… to bring love back into your home,

… to bring the good news of Jesus to your colleagues,

… to restore someone who is grieving or hurting, and give them divine hope and joy.

Live your life with a divine purpose. Let God do His work through you. Matt 5 – Jesus says God expects us to be “the light of the world” and “salt of the earth”.

Jesus shows us a second lesson:

2. Live Your Life With THE RIGHT PRIORITIES

Speaking to His disciples after they return from buying food, Jesus says (John 4:34) “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.”

Obviously Jesus is not saying He does not need to eat. He is thirsty and hungry at this time, that’s why the disciples went to the village to get food. Jesus wanted them to know that the real aim and purpose of His life was not to cater to the body, but rather to do the will of God. At this point of time, getting food is not the important thing. Meeting up with this woman is. Once He missed her, there might not be a second chance.