We often pray that God’s purposes be fulfilled, but what are His purposes? A broad answer is a bit staggering: He plans to bring everything in heaven and on earth under the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ. “And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10)
If we narrow the ‘all things’ a bit, we again see the purpose of God being centered in Jesus and being accomplished through Jesus. “For He (Jesus) Himself is our peace, who has made the two (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16)
If we narrow ‘all people’ to you and me, I think we could say that God wants us to “shine like stars in the universe” as we “hold to the Word of Life.” And we are not alone… “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (see Philippians 2) So let us walk as the children of God, thanking Him for the Holy Spirit who leads and empowers us daily. Let us find our purpose in God’s purpose and constantly point to Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His purpose and grace.” II Timothy 1:9