Created on Purpose: The Decision to Live an Intentional Life
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
A Dream About My Father
Today I want to repeat something about decisions, because I have been talking about my father. One of the most important relationships in my life is with my father. I got the most scolding from him, the most beatings and countless curses. When I gave my life to the Lord, he troubled me more than anyone. He became my first Pharaoh.
This went on for years, and then I moved to Delhi. One night I dreamed that my father had died, and I was weeping in the dream. I woke up weeping, and that day I made a decision: I will not weep with regret after he dies that our relationship was not right. From today my intention is to fix my relationship with my father.
It seemed impossible. Even now, when I visit, we have a misunderstanding every two or three days. When that happens, I go quiet for a day and wait until we meet and both laugh. That is our way. Recently, when a phone call came about my father, I did not sleep all night. The Lord comforted me in prayer. But because of that decision years ago, I have no regret. Today, by God's grace, our relationship is very blessed.
No relationship develops by itself. You have to be intentional.
List Your Irreplaceable Relationships
Make a list of the relationships that are important for your life and cannot be replaced. When Satan wants to affect your life, he tries to bring a crack into your most important relationships. You can climb to the top of the mountain, but you will be alone there. There is no success without some relationships in order.
Then decide to maintain them. Whoever wants to be a friend must be friendly. Whoever wants to be a son must behave like a son. Whoever wants to be a father must become mature. Sometimes you must also decide, "I will not keep a relationship with this person." That decision is for your peace.
Your Life Is Not an Accident
Look at life only on the surface, and it can seem senseless. Solomon wrote, "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full" (Ecclesiastes 1:7). What makes sense of life? This life is not an accident. It is God's plan.
You are a unique soul. Your gifts, talents and dreams are unique. God did not only give you life. He put a purpose inside your soul with it. God created us intentionally, with forethought. So why should we live unintentionally?
Two Maps for Your Life
The internal map is how you were made. I am not talking about sin. Some children work hard with their hands, and some work hard with their minds. My system is built to question, search, understand deep things and explain them simply. That is connected to my calling. Life is most fulfilling when we do what we were made for. Whoever does not understand this map ends up living a second-hand life that is not his own, and he will never have peace.
The owner's map is God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are His workmanship, the handiwork of a master craftsman. My aim is not to make everyone like me. Everyone is different. Jesus Christ is the mold we are all shaped into. He is the pattern of good works.
Purpose Removes Confusion
Problems are not the worst thing. A life with no meaning is. Jesus was never confused. In the synagogue He read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18).
Moses was not confused. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter" (Hebrews 11:24). Abraham was not confused. He lived his whole life in tents, looking for the city God built. David was not confused. He was a shepherd from childhood, called to shepherd all Israel. If you put the voice crying in the wilderness into a high-rise building, he would die. John the Baptist knew what he was made for.
Steps to an Intentional Life
Define your goals. Tonight, when you sit to pray, take paper and pen and write: Where am I going? What must I do?
Find a verse that defines your life. Let the Word name your purpose.
Pray for understanding. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.
Know your gifts. When Saul was troubled, David played, and the evil spirit departed (1 Samuel 16:23). "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another" (1 Peter 4:10). Nobody can say they received nothing.
Know your passions. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4).
Trust God's plan in your circumstances. God uses every circumstance to bring us into His plan.
Be ready to change. "Behold, I will do a new thing" (Isaiah 43:19). Whoever refuses to change cannot move forward in God's new work.
Stay in fellowship. Pray together and be seen in fellowship. Lives change in these basic things.
Build discipline and boundaries. Paul said, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Finish what you start. Jesus prayed, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
The way to glorify God is to complete the task He has given us. Don't live by chance. You were made on purpose, for a purpose.
Go Deeper: I Have Decided
The book will help you live intentionally, by design and not by chance. This Decision series is drawn from my book I Have Decided (Hindi: मैंने निर्णय लिया है). Anchored in Daniel 1:8, it leads you into five life-changing decisions: to get serious with God, become a vessel of value, invest your life in Him, live with unshakable faith, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
English eBook (Kindle): I Have Decided on Amazon
Hindi eBook (Kindle): मैंने निर्णय लिया है on Amazon
English paperback: I Have Decided on rdmglobal.org
Hindi paperback: मैंने निर्णय लिया है on rdmglobal.org
The Decision Series
Part 1: Why Decisions Matter: Every Choice Is a Verdict on Your Life
Part 2: How to Make Right Decisions: Nine Keys From God's Word
Part 3: Serious With God and Serious for God: The Decision Daniel Made
Part 4: Invest Your Life in God: Your Life Is Worth More Than Money
Part 5: The Decision to Become Valuable: Don't Live a Worthless Life
Part 6: The Decision to Live in Peace: Receiving God's Shalom
Part 7: The Decision to Live by Faith: Learning the Language God Understands
Part 8: Created on Purpose: The Decision to Live an Intentional Life (you are here)
Part 9: The Decision to Serve God: Let My People Go That They May Serve Me
Previous: Part 7: Live by Faith
Next: Part 9: Serve God
More Teaching Series
The Mystery of Open and Closed Doors: Start with Part 1: The Stealer of Joy
Marriage in the Lord Series: Start with Part 1: Marry Only in the Lord
The Lordship Series: Start with Part 1: Is Jesus Your Lord or Only Your Savior?
Declarations
I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
My life is not an accident. It is God's plan.
I live intentionally, not by chance.
I protect and maintain the relationships God has given me.
I know my gifts, and I use them to serve others.
I am ready for the new thing God is doing.
I will finish the work God has given me to do.
Stay Connected & Grow Deeper
Watch the full message: Part 8 of the Decision series on YouTube. Please note that the message is preached in Hindi.
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