#purpose #waterwalkinggirls by: Deborah Ard
Why am I here? Why was I born? What does God want me to do with my life? What direction should I go? How many of you have ever asked one of these questions? I imagine at some point we all have. Years ago I participated in a study on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. While many of us would have liked if the book had spelled out the right vocation for us it in fact helped to define our real purpose in life. If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it.

When searching for life purpose as a Christian we must turn to the Bible. There we find our supreme calling in Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.’”
This directive is called The Great Commission. Commission means an instruction, command, or duty given to a person or a group of people or a group of people officially charged with a particular function. So you can think of it as you and I have been commissioned to serve God and our task is to “go and make disciples.” Does that mean all of us are called to go overseas as a missionary? Simply put, no. However it does mean we should actively live in a way that is a testimony to our life with Jesus Christ. Everything you say and do is being watched by others. Others are always looking and listening to see what it means to be a Christian. St Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words.” In other words live your live in such a way that what others see is preaching the Gospel and if necessary use words to tell them the Gospel. As a result of our belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior we know our ultimate resting place will be in Heaven. Rick Warren encourages that you live life focused on Heaven. He even challenges you to ask yourself if anyone will be in Heaven because of you. Wow! That truly puts our purpose in perspective. No matter what your vocation is, you are called by your Creator to “go and make disciples” and as a result others will be in Heaven because of you. Let that sink in. Will anyone be in Heaven because of you? Are you taking your purpose as a Christian seriously? Are you living in a way that is reflective of the difference Jesus has made in your life? Are you focused on Heaven? You do not have to go overseas to “go and make disciples.” Pray about ways you can witness to others. It could be as simple as wearing a t-shirt with a scripture or Christian phrase on it, sharing scripture or Christian quotes on your Facebook page, or even listening to a Christian radio station when others are riding in the car with you. However, be ready to answer questions or share your testimony when others see your “living testimony” and want to know more. And be sure your words and actions back up the shirt, Facebook post and radio station. Your daily routines and habits will become your living testimony that will “make disciples.”
Earlier this week Julie tagged me in a post by Dr. Tony Evans that said, “God left you on earth for a purpose. Do it. Live on purpose.” Today I challenge you to examine yourself. Are you presenting a living testimony? Are you living on purpose? Are you making disciples?