The Purpose of Life, Like Getting Keys to the Car?

Based on readers’ responses on Gathering the Lambs last post on what true love really means, I decided to take the next few weeks to delve into some of life’s core questions.

Some of life’s grandest questions come in singular sentences, yet provoke real thought and soul searching. The question for this week: “what is my purpose in life?” Many ask this question, yet few have a real response. How do we find our own purpose? Luckily God never leaves us on our own: He knows us individually and has a plan for everyone.

With our Heavenly Father at the wheel, we always know that there is more than what just meets the eye. God, the Father set up a divine plan for us to learn, progress, and become more like Him. He desires that you inherit all that He possesses. Think of the magnitude of what could be YOUR inheritance! With great privilege, comes great responsibility. Would any right minded parent give their child the keys to their brand new car without the child knowing how to drive? I can only imagine how every parent reading this must be smiling ear to ear playing out in their minds how that scenario would play out. As earning the keys to the car, to inherit the kingdom of God, comes the necessity: to learn, gain real life experiences, and then be tested.

Personally speaking, out of all of the things we do in life being tested proves the hardest! So why do we have to be tested? Why do we need to go through all the trials and tribulation that life brings? The way the answer plays out every time; we need to come closer to the Father by following His Son. We chose to come down to earth receive a physical body, and to progress towards the end goal of becoming more like God. Before this life, you made the correct decision to come to earth to learn and grow. He wanted so much for us to become as Him, but we needed to go through a refiner’s fire as Malachi 3:2 states But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

We, ourselves cannot bear the refiner’s fire alone: Jesus Christ through His atoning sacrifice allowed mercy towards our sins through the pain and suffering He went through in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross: because of Him we can be cleansed from our sins if we do as He asks. In return for the infinite gift that He gave us, we only need to make covenants (a two way promise between us and our Heavenly father), have faith in Him, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and continue to live as He, by enduring to the end.

Jesus Christ through His atonement has allowed us to be together forever even after death: without any pains, suffering or affliction. How awesome is this! Matthew 6:33 promises: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Think about the greater picture, the eternal perspective of what God has for you. I promise you that your purpose in life (as well as everyone’s purpose), lies in knowing Jesus Christ and aligning our wills to His. No matter what circumstances or difficulties we face: Christ gave us a way out. What will you do to come closer to Him? How will you show Him your infinite gratitude for His sacrifice? Finding our purpose in life only comes as we strive to live like the Son.