Monday, February 23, 2015

Provision vs Purpose

He took care of the provision so that we would focus on the Purpose. This has been ringing in my head since early this morning.

Two weeks ago, I ran into one of my pastors. I do not see him as often as I used to because I relocated, so I was really glad to get those five or so minutes with him. A lot has changed since we last met and talked. So much has changed in my life and I believe in his as well. We got talking about Valentine's day which was that weekend and work. It is in talking about work that he asked me a question that I have not been able to forget since. "What is your purpose there?" he asked, when I told him where I spend my days , "find out your purpose there" he added before we had to say our goodbyes.

Purpose. It has been a while since I thought of anything in terms of purpose. Truth be told, I have been so focused on what I am to get or how I am to gain that I forgot to ask how I could contribute. I have not yet found a clear answer to that question but I am seeking, what is my purpose here?

One of the major highlights of 2014 for me was reading the book Not I but Christ. It changed the way I viewed so many things and had me questioning so many things I once was sure of concerning my faith. It is in one of the chapters of this book that I encountered 'provision vs purpose'. You see, God Almighty is not random. He is particular and had a reason for everything He did and how He did it. For every creation, there was a purpose. After the fall of man, most of the world (if not all) turned upside down and many things no longer look or function the way they were intended to. Most (if not all) of what we think we know/see is a lie, it is distorted. We are seeing through the wrong lenses.



It therefore follows that there was purpose to the creation of man. The Lord never intended for man to worry about provision and I believe that is why we never see Adam in the garden toiling. He was at rest always. Man started worrying or concerning himself with provision after the fall,after the rebellion where he desired independence. Fast forward some years later, Jesus, the second Adam is sent to bring back balance to everything. He comes in and makes right everything that went wrong.

 ( Romans 5:10-15 NIV)
10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.


Once again, we are called to focus on purpose because the provision has been made in the more than sufficient sacrifice of Christ. The provision for food, shelter, health and healing, relationships, reconciliation, righteousness and so on and so forth. Once again we are called to only focus on Christ in whom our purpose is hidden, as members of His body, as adopted children in the Lord's family, co-heirs with the Son, accepted in the beloved.



( Ephesians 1: 3-12 KJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ

...and this purpose rings true with every breath and heartbeat. My purpose is Christ. For it is nolonger I who lives but Christ who lives in me. My focus is Christ. I follow as He leads. I'll look to Him and He will sort out the details. Selah.