The reason or purpose why we do things, plays a more important role than what we do. Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood his stance against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Reich could cost him his life; but, he marched on. Because he saw a higher purpose than himself, he fought against the regime. For this, he faced imprisonment and death. Perhaps you might say, this is an extreme example of a higher purpose. Yet, this driving force against injustice began years before as a seed in his heart. He studied in the US for a time and fell in love with the Black Church. He hated the injustice plaguing our country during those years. That seed of seeking a higher purpose than his own comfort grew. In 1933, when Hitler rose to power; Dietrich Bonhoeffer was willing to fight; because, he knew his purpose was greater than his own comfort.
There are a lot of books, seminars and thoughts surrounding the idea of purpose. Often, others tell us purpose is something we drive our hearts and minds to obtain. If only I could change my reason; then, I will gain what I wanted. Can I change my heart? Or is that something much bigger than I?
GOD SAID:
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:16-17
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Deuteronomy 30:6
Don’t miss this! God is the one who transforms our hearts from the inside out. No amount of work that I strive to do can change my heart. I cannot change my purpose on my own without His guiding hand to change me. My only hope is to turn to Him who can transform me; including, transforming my motives. When I surrender to the truth, I become a receptacle of His plan. He created me to receive His love and His joy as a gift of grace. Then, as I grow in my relationship with Him; recognizing this truth, He is about to share His Glory with me. He does this by transforming my purpose from a me centered life to a God centered life.
Only when I recognize my nothingness without Him, can I find my Being in Him. My part? I am to seek Him. Even in that I must recognize my inadequacy to do so without His help.
LIVING A HIGHER PURPOSE LIFE
So how can you find a life fully engaged in a higher purpose?
- Acknowledge to God, you need His help and guidance to achieving your best life in Him. This begins with prayer.
- Study His word
- Listen closely, as your heart is drawn into a deeper relationship with Him
- Awaken each morning 30 minutes early to be alone with Him.
- Be Amazed by the Joy, peace, and hope overtaking your heart.
- Thank Him for all He has done
- Be Amazed again when you realize that His love, joy, and hope is overflowing to others around you.
THE GAIN EXCEEDS THE COST
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘Ye were bought at a price’, and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us.
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
At first and often along the way, Satan whispers to you, “You fool. You are wasting your time helping others, sacrificing your own happiness for others, giving up your vacation to lift another up, forsaking your comfort to give of your time to missions.” Then, you can turn quickly and say, “Satan, your foolish counterfeit joys will never compare to the riches I have in Christ Jesus. He fills my heart with joy, hope, love and life. So, if you don’t mind-shut up. If you do mind, shut up anyway.”
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[bctt tweet=”Turn quickly & say, ‘Satan, your counterfeit joys can’t compare to my riches in Christ Jesus’ ” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]When I surrender to the truth, I become a receptacle of His plan[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]God transforms my purpose from a me centered one to a God centered purpose[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Higher Purpose begins as a seed that when nourished grows into a fruit bearing vine.” username=”effiedarlene”]
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.