Daily Devotion
Life with a Purpose
By
Cathy Irvin
In the body of Christ, we want to do things for the Lord.
We mean well and get involved before we really seek the Lord about
it. Maybe we do it out of guilt or feel pressured by well-meaning
friends. But for whatever reason, if it is not from a heart of
passion, it is EMPTY! Personally, I don't want to waste my time
bobbing up and down like a bobble-head doll and going nowhere.
I will just be doing the work of the Lord with no real purpose.
Everything we do must be done with a willing heart devoted to
the Lord. Otherwise, it is empty. That is like a bobble-head doll.
They have a spring inside, the head is bigger than the body, and
they are hollow inside. They bob up and down, but don't really
get anywhere. Do you ever feel like you go through the motions,
yet your heart is not in it at all? That is what it is like to
be a bobble-head.
The thing to do when you feel this way is to stop and ask yourself
some questions. Is this what the Lord wants from my life? Am I
bobbing up and down, taking up space? Perhaps what you are doing
isn't your calling or gifting.
If you teach, then don't try to be an administrator. If you are
a leader, get out there and lead with confidence. If you are a
behind-the-scenes person, then do it with excellence. Step into
the right position in the body of Christ, and the Lord will add
gifts to your life. You may be multi-talented, but where is your
passion?
For example, I can teach and sing. But I am totally willing to
let those who feel called to usher or work with the children's
programs do their jobs. We each have our own areas of ministry.
We want to please the Lord, not man. Let's not burn out doing
everything that we are not called to do. We need to keep our heads
on straight, and look to the Lord for our callings. Let us do
the very best in the place He shows us, and run with a heart after
God.
There is a book currently gaining a lot of attention in the Christian
community. The title is The Purpose Driven Life by Rick
Warren. There are some groups that are conducting Bible studies
centered on this book. Individuals are reading and talking about
it. One church is building its sermons and cell groups on the
Purpose Driven Life theme. No one is a bobble-head on purpose,
and we certainly want a purpose driven life.
Paul prayed that God would bless the Christians in Corinth, so
they might abound in every good work.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).
He expressed confidence that God would continue to enhance the
good work begun in them.
...being confident of this, that he who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
Search your heart and see what your passion is, and then go after
it. Use your gifts and talents, watch the Lord bless you. Surely,
you will be content and there will be no more bobbing around.
You will be moving forward -- being all God has called you to
be.
Copyright 2007 Cathy Irvin. Used by permission.
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Cathy Irvin authored well over 50 Devotions for CBN over three decades where she served the Lord Jesus Christ at the Christian Broadcasting Network. Cathy loved telling stories and glorifying God in all that she did. On December 16, 2011, Cathy left this earthly dwelling to take up residence in the dwelling prepared for her in Heaven. Her Devotions minister with love and truth.
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