The Purpose of Life

"What is the purpose of life? In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. This is the warm-up-act, the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on Earth what we will do forever in eternity. " - Rick Warren

I forget this so often. I find myself frequently giving into the warped falsehood that this is the only reality, this is the only life. Yeh, in the back of my head I know I am going to heaven, but is that what I live for? Do I live out heaven here on Earth? Am I preparing well for eternity? My honest answer would have to be a big NO! That's hard to admit, but so true.

I too often love to live for this life. More often than I want to admit I find myself pushing the Holy Spirit's nudge to the back of my mind/agenda. I hear the Lord calling, I feel Him leading and guiding, but I don't want to listen. I get so wrapped up in my days, my relationships, my agenda, my life, that I forget that my life has been bought at a price; a very precious one at that! "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price." 1 Cor. 6:20

It's amazing how easily I fall for the deception of what my life's purpose is. "God is more interested in making my life holy than He is in making my life happy. He is more interested in my character than my comfort." - Rick Warren

Why can't I come to terms with that in my heart. Why do I hear the Lord saying, "deny yourself, Lindsey, take up your cross daily and follow me", and yet I don't listen and obey? I so quickly divert and run from the straight, narrow, hard path that leads through the valley of the shadow of death, when in reality the Lord uses that path most in my life to change me more into His likeness.

Why won't I trust Him to know that no matter how difficult, painful, sorrowful, troublesome and wearisome the road is, He will always walk the path right there beside me? I think actually my nickname should be Thomas and then Peter! I am so quick to doubt and fear when God asks the difficult things of me. I hesitate so often and many times don't even obey. I was reminded this past Sunday of what a precious gift I take for granted: Jesus Christ, the Lord of this universe, came to this Earth to die for me, to take my place on that cross. He came to bring me to Himself in salvation so that I could enjoy eternity with Him... and yet when He asks difficult things from me, I hesitate, I am reluctant, and I doubt in fear. After all that He has done for me, the least I can do is give Him my whole life, heart, my all! Wow, in writing this out I can really see what a selfish, self-seeking sinner I really am before Him.

As I go through each day struggling to trust Him with the life that He gave me; Ironic I know, and disgraceful! I cling desperately to the promise of who He is. I can look back and know that He is good and faithful and will never leave me nor forsake me. He is my God! He is the same today toward me as He proclaimed to be before Moses...

"The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." - Exodus 34:6-7

With those characteristics of promise in mind... His perfect love truly does drive away fear. He is the only purpose for this life: Knowing Him, loving Him, glorifying Him, denying self and following Him, living for Him no matter what the cost. Oh God take my heart and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee!