Welcome to Throwback Thursdays.  Found this one hiding in the archives.  It is actually apart of a devotional book that I wrote called the Live Life Project.  This book talks a lot about finding purpose in living and about understanding God's purpose for our lives.  It talks about vision and how God has a plan for each and everyone of our lives.  The word says:

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

 

Understanding Purpose

I like using artist analogies because I relate to the creative process of an artist. God is an artist. One thing we must understand about God is that he is no ordinary artist.  He is a master artist.  He takes his time during the planning process.  His attention to detail is so precise that he knows exactly how the artwork is going to turn out, even before he starts the creative process.

We must understand that we are masterworks to God because he created us.  He is still creating us.

Some people may walk by an artwork and consider it instantly as a masterpiece.  They then form an aesthetic response and various opinions about the work.  They might stop and ponder about the message that the artist was trying to relay.  They may just admire the beauty of the work.  However, they can never fully explain the original purpose for creating the work.  Only the artist could do that. Only the creator of the work can explain his original concept and the original purpose for making the work.

 

If we really want to know why God made us, we must ask him directly. In order to ask him directly we need to develop a relationship with him.  In the meantime, you should know that God knows.  He knows every plan that he has for you.  He knows your purpose, so we trust that he is preparing us to be masterpieces!

Meditate on this verse:

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

 

 

Understanding Process

Creating a masterwork is not an overnight project. You must learn the medium. In art, the medium is the material that you use in order to create the artwork you wish to create. Some artist paint, some artist use ink to print, some artist manipulate wood, metal, or plastic, some artist make pottery, some carve stone. With each medium, there are tools to learn about, there are techniques to learn, and there are years of study that goes into learning the best way to create. As an artist keeps studying and practicing, he develops his own individual style, technique and personal aesthetic. He basically gets to know who he is as an artist.

 

When we commit ourselves with this type of study to the word of God, we get to know who we are as individuals in the Kingdom. We slowly begin to gain insight through the process of growth.  We slowly begin to learn what we were made for.  We find and cultivate our gifts, our talents, and our unique interpretation of the world around us. God has made us and is continuing to perfect us as we live this life.  He is shaping us into who we need to be.  he uses each individual as a special tool in his tool box to help develop his other tools: YOU and EYE.  We are helping each other grow.  We are sharpening each other so that the Lord can use us to complete his work. This is all part of the process.  Process takes time.  We are building character through the process.

 

I don’t like it when someone stands over me as I am painting. They always ask silly questions, like “What is that supposed to be,” or make comments like “I don’t get it,” “I don’t know, I don’t like that one.” Then when I try to tell them or explain my process, they don’t understand. Why is this? Because they can’t see the vision like I can see the vision. Nor do they understand all that it takes to get from the beginning stage to the end. All that most people want to see is the pretty painting at the end. Hence, I understand that most people are drawn to presentation and the unveiling of something beautiful. Most people are blind to the intricacies of process.

 

Many people are hurting in this world today and they ask questions like:

If God is all powerful why is there war?

If God is so loving then why is there suffering?

If God really cares then why doesn’t he just fix everything wrong in the world?

 

I have an answer for those questions. It is not God who paints over his own beautiful artwork. It is not God who mixes the colors into dingy hues. It is not God who throws mud on the intricacies of his brush strokes. It is the enemy who uses our gifts to try to destroy God’s work. It is the enemy who lies and says: Look how much God has messed up. . .

 

However, God is not through with us yet. Spiritually speaking, he is preparing for the great unveiling of his secret work. Everything is working out for the good. He will present his finished work even if we do not understand the process.

 

When we are living for Christ, we must understand what we are choosing to represent.  We are choosing to represent God and his son Jesus.

 

Before we claim to be all holy and sanctified, ask yourself what does your presentation look like? Remember, everyone doesn’t see the end vision of what you are to become. They just don’t understand it.  They are saying to themselves “I don’t get it, I don’t like it.” Those who only want to see a beautiful presentation at the end will always find a way to criticize what is happening in the process.

 

But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

 

Understanding Provision

Finally, and in the most simple way put:  What ever God has purposed for you, and what ever he has planned for you, he will supply every need for his purposed plan.  He is the provider.

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

 

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7: 9-11

 

Please take the time to read God's word to grab a full understanding of his purpose for you.  This life is more than just living it.  It is about who we become when we help people live it more abundantly by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Until Next Time

-Tamorra