I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. (Acts 13:47 ESV)
Purpose
There was a piece of molded plastic in our glovebox. I could not figure out what it was. I could not figure out what it was for. I could not figure out if it had value. I could not figure out whether to keep it.
Then one afternoon, the right front tire went flat. I grabbed my ancient tire iron, and tried to remove the lug nuts to change the errant tire. But my trusty tire iron could not help. The lug nuts had covers, and I could not figure out how to remove them.
Then I remembered that piece of plastic.
And suddenly, I understood the purpose of that mysterious piece of plastic.
Many people feel like that oddly shaped piece. Our life’s purpose might be difficult to ascertain. Too many variables in our personalities make analysis more like guesswork than knowledge. Too many confusing motivations make analysis convoluted. Too many broken plans, unaccomplished goals, and unsure pathways make analysis painfully difficult.
But Christians have a purpose.
We get to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
We were made, like Paul and Barnabas, to show Jesus to people. Whether we are doctors, lawyers, farmers, students, parents, children, uncles, aunts, grandparents, preachers, teachers, roadworkers, engineers, craftsmen, administrators, or astronauts… those things are not our purpose. Our purpose is known. Our purpose is to bring salvation.
We are unique, we know our purpose.