“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21,
WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR?
What is the purpose of life? In other words, why are we here?
How we answer this
question shapes our lives in countless ways. But perhaps we need to
begin with a different question. Before we ask, “Why are we here?” we should
ask, “Who are we here for?” It’s a
subtle change, but it makes a significant difference. The question helps us evaluate who is really
at the center of our purpose: Is it God or self?
Many of us try to center our purpose around ourselves as if life is all about us. This is like trying to make the sun orbit the Earth; the universe isn’t designed to work this way.
Biblically speaking, we are made by Jesus and for Jesus as Colossians 1:15 tells us. And in Ephesians 1:12 that we exist for His glory and to humbly serve Him, not vice versa.
Paul beautifully summarizes this concept in the first chapter of Philippians.
After his encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road (that you can read of in Acts chapter 9), Paul completely changed the purpose of his life.
From that moment on, there was a fundamental shift in Who he was living for! He lived to exalt Christ and to make Him known. Staring at the possibility of dying in prison, Paul possessed a deep-seated hope that no executioner could take from him.
If he died, he would be in the presence of Jesus. This reality calmed his fears and emboldened his witness.
The way he lived out his purpose is remarkable.
Yet, it can also seem unattainable. That might be because we often content to have our faith in Christ be a segment of our life, not the singular focus of our life.
Paul’s purpose to magnify Christ was all-encompassing. There wasn’t an area of his life off-limits to Jesus. The question I pose to here is: Can we say the same thing?
We may not be full-time missionaries (like Paul), but we should share his purpose of exalting Christ in all things. No matter how we spend our time throughout the day, we are called to live for Jesus above “self.” And although it may not seem possible to do so in the real world, I believe it is possible, but it takes purpose and deliberate intention.
You can’t live with purpose by flipping on cruise control and coasting through life.
So here are three suggestions:
1. Regularly ask yourself this question: ‘Who does my life really revolve around-me or Christ?’
2. Evaluate and realign the areas of your life as often as necessary.
3. In the middle of your daily activities whisper this prayer: “Jesus, be the center.”
Life Happens and we must resolve today to not only be mindful of why you are here but Who you are here for.
This devotion is based on a devotion by: Right from The Heart Ministries.
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