Life Guided by Clear Purpose

When you first came to know Jesus, your heart was probably filled with sharp, clear purpose. You experienced God's healing love and, like many new Christians, you longed to share it with others, evangelizing and serving. As you moved forward in this new life, you began to better discern your role in God’s kingdom and your gifts for serving him.

But then something peculiar began to happen. Almost daily, your singular focus on Jesus got crowded out by other demands. Little things popped up that captured your attention and distracted you to the point that you slowly lost your single-mindedness. Sadly, Christ began to fade into the background of your attention.

The Flying Wallendas, a family best known for performing high-wire acts without a safety net, demonstrate this need for laser-like focus. In June of 2013, Nik Wallenda added to his family’s legend by walking on a wire across a gorge in the Grand Canyon. With balance pole in hand and a gritty determination, he battled a fierce wind as he strode forward — and walked all the way across the chasm, never distracted for a moment. His focus was literally a matter of life and death!

As Christians, we have an even higher calling and we must not become distracted to the point of meandering and mediocrity. John the Baptist would not allow himself to become distracted. When a theological dispute arose and several disciples tried to draw him into it, he would not allow it. He told them, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent from Him.’ … He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28, 30). His focus in life was clear; his holy calling was centered completely on Jesus.

Today, our success-driven culture causes us to seek things for ourselves. But our overriding passion must be for Christ and proclaiming the kingdom of God, just as John did. You can have God’s own Spirit without measure, to guide you in the purposes he has planned for you. Be sure that you keep your sights trained on Jesus and the fact that he is your primary reason for living!