The Bible say we must know our purpose in life.

Scripture tells us that we were created with a purpose and talents to excel in certain situations. Many struggle with what is their purpose in life and what has God planned for us. Those who understand their God-given purpose and find careers that fulfill what they believe is making a difference that is beneficial to society, feel achievement and happiness. A person, who becomes conscious of their need to serve others or solve problems and know why they exist, will be able to handle almost any circumstance. Achievement and success normally promotes happiness.

As we search for meaning in our lives, we must realize that we were created in the image of God and Christ. We were told to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. We were to rule over every living thing that moves on the earth. Our purpose was to live a holy life as Christ demonstrated and become a member of God’s family. This requires a personal relationship with God and Christ.

I heard an illustration that may help understand what is required. A lion was born in a zoo and lived in a cage for a number of years. They fed him and took care of every need. He had certain instincts that he could not use while in captivity, that often kept him frustrated. If one day, he was released and placed in a jungle would he know what to do to survive? He had never hunted, never had to defend himself against an attack, didn’t have the confidence to do what lions are suppose to do.

Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and sinned. They were placed in a cage filled with sin and did not know how to live outside the garden. No matter what they did, sin continually consumed them. They no longer had a relationship with God; they did not know how to live a holy life and had no real purpose or meaning of life. They had children engulfed in sin. The older brother killed the younger brother because of anger resulting from sin.

Man is born and placed in a zoo, living in a cage filled with sin. He lives as he sees the world living. There was no way to be released from that sinful cage until Christ died for our sins and provided a way for redemption. That would release a person from sin’s hold and provide a person to live and obtain the image God created us to have. The one requirement was to accept Christ as one’s Lord and Savior. When that occurred, God gave man His Spirit to help us become the person that God had intended with a meaning for life and life’s purpose.

For us to be ready to live with God in eternity requires preparation. I have a friend who played professional basketball for a number of years. From an early age he prepared by shooting hundreds of baskets every day. The training and preparation professional athletes endure is tedious. Yet, many new converts do not believe to live a holy life requires preparation. If God created us in His own image how do we reach that goal and live a mature spiritual life? Can we become Christ-life without preparation? We are not turned loose in the jungle like the lion, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. If we spent the amount of time preparing as a professional athlete has, how much time would we spend reading the Bible and praying, developing a relationship with God and Christ? How much time have you spent preparing for your career?

We are told to pray without ceasing. Do we pray for heavenly wisdom and for God’s purpose for our lives? We are told that Christ came to free us from sin and give us an abundant life. Do you have a joyful, calm and peaceful life? We are told, if we develop a relationship with God and Christ we can have that kind of life.

Has the past life of living in sin, made it it difficult to walk out of the sin-cage that captivated you? Have fear, unworthiness and a lack of confidence kept you from becoming what you were created to be? Have you committed to being obedient to God’s ways or do you still feel comfortable living as the world lives.

Do you love God with all of your heart, all your soul and all your mind and your neighbor as yourself? Do you know God’s promises and do you trust Him completely? Psalms 112:1 tells us that happy is the person who delights in doing God’s commands.

My more than fifty years as a Christian, praying and reading my Bible daily and preparing for eternity, I have experience that God meets our every need and Christ gives us an abundant life like He says He will. It is fantastic to live outside of the sin-cage and have freedom.