Why do you exist? What is the purpose of your life? Is there anything more important to you than a close relationship with God?
Perhaps life’s main purpose is to point us towards God and to teach us that we need Him more than we need air or water or food. Ultimately only God can fulfill our every desire. What is God teaching me in my current situation? Is there someone or something that I am trusting, other than God? Am I placing my faith in money, in myself, in my spouse? Or do I truly trust God above all?
Jesus said, “It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Luke 4:4)
Sometimes we have to question what we truly value and why. Anything that becomes more important than God is an idol – a false god that can lead us away from the one true God. Even the good things we desire, things that God created for us to enjoy, need to be put in their proper place.
I believe throughout our lives we need to look for the path that leads us closer to God. This won’t always be the easiest path. There are many distractions and destinations that beckon us, but where is God leading? We may not know which direction to choose, but we can look to Jesus and follow His example. We cannot even know where our next step will take us, but we can trust that as we seek to walk with God, He will direct our steps.
When I am busy pursuing my comfort, chasing selfish ambitions, or building feeble fortresses in which to trust, I am likely off track and missing the all-sufficiency of Christ.
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Sometimes I have found myself doing the right things for the wrong reasons. I need to ask myself if my desire is to build up the kingdom of God and bring glory to Him – or if my actual goal is to look good to others and get them to focus on me.
God sees our hearts and knows our intentions. If our focus is on anything other than pleasing God, He knows.
May our prayer be: “Father, You are my heart’s desire. I want You to be the focus of my life – now and always. Amen.”