Seeking Purpose
By Maria Hakim
“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.
One of the greatest struggles of humanity is finding purpose. To choose the best and most fulfilling path. In doing so, we may look to our achievements as a method of validating our purpose. However, it’s a dangerous path that will inevitably lead to a self-seeking cycle. An attempt to quench an unquenchable thirst for feeling constant pleasure. And that terrible feeling of emptiness and loneliness will eventually creep in. Moreover, we are more precious than to give our self-worth to the ‘treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal’ (Matthew 6:19-20). The temporary things of the world we pursue with our abilities are not reliable.
But did not Christ use the parable of the talents to encourage us to utilise our abilities? Are we not fulfilling His parable? Yes, we have every right to use them, but it is so easy to fall into the trap of prioritising these temporary joys. The amazing thing is, God knew from the very beginning that because of our nature, it would be one of our greatest struggles: ‘Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails’ (Proverbs 19:21). So, He gave us the simplest set of instructions for the times we slowly regress to the lifestyle and trajectory the world has set out for us.
‘For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”’ Galatians 5:14
Quite simply, love in God and others may be the very answer we seek. ‘Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:4). Use your talents for service. This cannot be achieved without having love. For with love in service to others, you are working towards something great, both in your relationship with God and for yourself. Purpose will weave itself in. Essentially, it is the answer to direct our earthly and spiritual lives.
Of course, it doesn’t seem right that the answer appears so simple. But think of it this way: Look at the beatitudes. Look at the ten commandments. Pivotal principles in our faith. And think to yourself, would having selfless love and devotion make them easier to achieve? For with love comes respect, sacrifice and clarity of mind. In contrast ‘for where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice’ (James 3:16). There is no controversy in this. In fact, democratic socialism, a political philosophy that our secular society values, is all about altruism. A concept that moral goodness lies not in the devotion to self, but in concern for others, to which it is then society prospers. Although the term was not formulated until the 19th century, these values were already ingrained in our bible.
When service begins, Love grows in us. It seeds itself and is nourished in our actions and devotions. Before you know it, it becomes easier to serve God. More enticing to fulfil His Word, and to be a reflection of Christ by the purposive instructions he has laid out for us. In return, God does not let this go unnoticed. The closer you get to Him by fulfilling his commandments, the more opportunity you give him to works on His plans to ‘prosper you’ and ‘give you a future’.
How amazing would it be to contribute to bringing someone to God or to be a light in their lives where struggle is a constant battle? Can this not be the greatest worth? Even more so, the love, devotion and selflessness in our hearts will radiate and touch not only others but every aspect of our lives. For Christ says, ‘a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house’. Think of the basket as the life we weave for ourselves on earth. The more we focus on it, the more layers we build. It begins covering the light underneath and harder to reflect the values and principles of Christ. As a result, it requires more effort in our spiritual lives. If you have more earthly blessings the basket gets thicker, so you have to work harder spiritually to strengthen the light through love and service. As we strengthen this light, we see a clearer path for ourselves and reflect a stronger light that reaches further out to others, bringing more people to comfort in Christ or even in the care we show them.
God has us in this world to humbly serve others as He came to earth once to serve. Therefore, He has left us in charge of caring for one another where in service, you may ‘unwittingly entertain angels.’ This may be taken literally for the time angels have disguised themselves as humans, but also figuratively, angels can be servants of God. We may unwittingly attract, with our passive or active services, people that have the capacity to show endless dedication and service to God. We could essentially be a beacon of light to those that have dwelt in darkness. It is the love and selflessness we have for others that not only attracts more people to God but gives us worth: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge … but have not love, I am nothing” – I Corinthians 13:2.
We truly lose value when we purely live for ourselves with no consideration of God or others. There always needs to be some practical approach and quite simply ensure you achieve even the slightest acts of humility and service. It will never be a show of weakness, it is in fact a strength that is unparalleled. For what may seem like ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than men’ (1 Corinthians 1:25). In essence, what may seem like vulnerability and weakness to the world is the wisdom of God. It is the ability to resist all show of pride that is admirable. God has given you talents, and it is your capacity to humbly apply your talents to the benefit of others that reaps the greatest reward.
One of the most important principles I have learnt it is that life begins to lose value and purpose when you purely live for yourself and that is an easy and gradual process to fall victim to. That’s why you should consistently live for others, even in the smallest actions. It is then that service gradually loosens you from the values of a world that convinces you that joy and self-worth is given purely by enjoyment and self-achievement. They amplify and inflate a portion that should be enjoyed in small doses to the point where it masks any concern for others and the true purpose God has given you. Then eventually you’re caught in the endless current of finding your purpose.
“Our hearts were created for God, and so they remain restless until they rest in Him.” As St Augustine beautifully puts it, we will always remain restless until we fulfil God’s purpose. One biblical character that desired to rest in God was David, “a man after God’s own heart”. If like David we desire to find purpose, it is to seek God’s heart and that it to pursue he’s greatest commandment – service to one another.
To conclude, one important thing to note is Christ’s response to his disciples in Matthew 25. This also happens to be straight after His parable of the talents. The disciples ask Christ, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?…And the King will answer … ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40). God’s purpose can remedy the emptiness and lack of self-worth we will always attempt to fill in validating ourselves. If we persist in our love for God and others and his simple commandment, we will reap the most benefits from our lives. We not only achieve His good purpose but the greatest and most fulfilling purpose we can have.