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One of the most powerful biblical illustrations of the God given purpose to each of our lives is written in Jeremiah 1:4-10. Before we present the text, be reminded that each of us are given the same process of a “purpose assignment” by God before we leave eternity to enter time on earth by way of our mother’s womb.
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” This means that God had a specific plan for Jeremiah’s life, and that plan was for him to serve as God’s prophet. The great news is that God equally has a purpose for each of us!
As we move to each stage in the development of our lives, it is important to pause, consider, look for and appreciate our individual purpose or calling. This may not always be readily apparent, but God is faithful to reveal it if we seek His face. Natural gifting is a good indicator of our purpose. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” This smacks of opportunity and provision from our natural gifts. For those about to make life directional decisions, this’ pause and consider’ step is vital.
Jeremiah 1:10 “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
As we read the text, it is interesting to note that four of the six verbs God uses to describe Jeremiah’s appointment have negative connotations. Only two verbs (build, plant) have positive connotations. This suggest that Jeremiah’s purpose was not an easy one. He was called to speak difficult truths to the people of Israel, to challenge them to turn away from their sinful ways and return to God. This was not a popular message, and Jeremiah faced significant opposition and persecution as a result.
Life has challenges whether we realize our purpose or not. Despite the challenges that Jeremiah faced, God promised to be with him and to protect him. God said, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” Jeremiah 1:8.
This promise is a reminder that when we are living out our purpose, we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us, and protecting us every step of the way.
So what does it mean to live a purpose-built life? It means that we have been created for a specific purpose, and that purpose is to serve God and others. It means being willing to speak difficult truths, to challenge the status quo, and to stand up for what is right. It means trusting God’s promises, even and especially when the road ahead is difficult. Remember that things of significant achievement and value, have always been effected in the struggle of perseverance.
Jeremiah’s story is a powerful example. While we may not all be called to be prophets, we are all called to serve God and others in our own unique way. The unique qualities we possess allow the various needs of life to receive attention, because life is about human variety not clones, which cause the lack of individualism.
When we embrace our purpose, we can make a difference in the world and live a life that is truly fulfilling. Please be assured that your life has value, keep your self-esteem high, and believe in your abilities with God’s help. If your life is at a turning point, be it graduation, career, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, health challenge, salvation, or any other matter, trust in God’s promises, knowing that He is with you all the way! Have the Peace of God in whatever your purpose is.
