Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20 MSG)
What is the purpose of it all? A fairly common question often asked in a moment of existential yearning. Motivational speakers will tell you that it is your purpose you are to pursue with passion. Regrettably, they don’t tell you how to discover your purpose except through some claim of, “Do what you’re passionate about and then you’ll know what your purpose is.”
So, we try things hoping just one venture might ignite a spark within us. We go along, sometimes for decades, hoping the path we have chosen is the purpose we have been searching for. Some become so full of themselves in this journey every decision they make is backed by the Frank Sinatra song, “I did it my way.”
Most, however, feel aimless. Wandering without a destination or plan, battered by the winds of change, always one step away from going over the edge into the abyss of despair. They are empty, never even tasting a measure of the fullness they crave. They feel that their life has no value.
The one thing which both of these viewpoints share is the preoccupation with self. Either I have a purpose, or I don’t. It’s all about me, myself and I. I was deposited on this planet with the intent to appreciate in value before being withdrawn. Purpose is the catalyst to appreciation, not only for myself, but from others. Self-centered thinking.
So, let me tweak your perception for a moment. Consider the opening passage from Paul. He comes to realize how “he” doesn’t live this life. Oh, sure, there is a body walking about the earth, but it’s occupied by Christ, not Paul. Does Paul’s claim appear to be any different from, “The Father and I are one,” which Jesus made? No.
How many times have you professed Paul’s claim and yet didn’t believe “yourself” enough to accept there is no longer a “You”? How would you feel if suddenly there came a flash of revelation that your earthly birth was simply the manifestation of God showing off as “you”? Would you and God then be “One” just like Jesus was? Would Paul’s revelation become your revelation? What if “your” purpose was to discover “His” purpose as “you”, how would this unfold? If you and the Father are one, and I and the Father are one, aren’t we then one according to Jesus’ prayer?
If we are the unique manifestation of the Father on this earth, what purpose is there in praying to a God who is up and out there somewhere? If the kingdom is within us, does prayer need to spoken out for others to hear? Can communion with the Father be an internal occurrence known as prayer? If the Father “fills all in all,” can we claim to be purpose-full?
Have you been filled with a purpose which you draw from within, rather than from without? Who is living this life, fully you or you, filled? If there is a purpose in this writing it is to get “you” to recognize how full of purpose “you” are already; “being filled” denotes a lack which an abundant Father finds no purpose in.
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