Passion For His Purpose


“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This is one of my life verses that I love and believe with all my heart. It invariably comes out of my mouth when I encourage, counsel or pray with people. God does have plans for us – His plan for us is always to bring hope, and for us to live a life of purpose. Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life” has been amazingly popular, and I believe it is because people want the hope of a purpose-filled life.

The most purposeful life we can live is one that is energised by the purposes God has for us because 1) they are safe, and 2) they will be sure to fulfil us in the way that only our Creator can really know, because He created us for His particular purpose.

Having a passion for His purpose will not mean that every day will be “high” with expectation, excitement or even a feeling of purpose. Our passion needs to run strong and deep. It will be developed as we learn to live in Him, the true vine (John 15) and as we learn to let His life flow into us and through us. It is a life of loving God and loving people; with a determination to walk in obedience until He reveals His purpose. Then continuing to walk in faith and obedience until He brings circumstances to pass that lead us into His purpose at the right time.

Sometimes we may feel that we’ve missed it but if we are open to God and walking faithfully with Him, He will not allow us to miss His purpose. We need only to rest in the knowledge that He will, indeed, fulfil His purpose for my life (Psalm 138:8).

How can we develop a passion for His purpose? First we have to believe He has a purpose for me and to know that it is a process. It will not happen overnight. Christian growth takes time. Preparation time will depend upon the task God has prepared for us to do and how much work He needs to do in us. The book of James uses the example of a farmer who patiently waits for the harvest and for the rains (James 5:7). A farmer first must plant a seed and then wait for the first shoots to show up, then he waits and watches it grow and finally it’s time for the harvest. I know from experience that God is never in a hurry, He is a patient farmer!

Then we pray, “God give me a passion for your purpose for me.” Then we need to regularly plant the seed of God’s word in our heart and walk in obedience to that word, whether people are watching or not! We have to believe what God’s word says and hold onto the promises that He gives us. Then we wait, and wait, and wait some more. God WILL fulfil His purposes for me, possibly at the time I least expect it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give me a passion for the purpose that You have for me. Give me patience to faithfully plant your word in my heart, to believe it and to wait for the harvest. Amen