30 For 30 Challenge: Day 10

Think back to this week's devotion. How did it start off? The first devotion talked about purpose. The idea was to introduce you to the idea that objects have a purpose. When you need to do a task, you choose an object designated for that task. As we begin to wrap up this week's discussion of your purpose and how essential living out your purpose is to grow in your faith.  

Read Matthew 21:18-22. Jesus had just spent the previous day in Jerusalem where He would celebrate His final passover with His disciples before He would be arrested and crucified. Jesus left Jerusalem to spend the night in the city of Bethany. The exchange with the fig tree happened as the disciples and Jesus were headed back into Jerusalem the next morning. Jesus was primarily teaching the disciples about the power of faith. But I think there's something here we can learn about our purpose as well.

What does this story have to do with your purpose? Ask yourself, why was Jesus frustrated? He was frustrated because He expected the fig tree to have figs. Why?  Because producing figs was the tree's purpose. That's pretty much all it was designed to do. Jesus rightfully expected the tree to live out its purpose. And when it didn't He was frustrated.

Jesus is not going to make you wither up if you don't live out your purpose. He won't, but instead, Jesus expects you to live a life of purpose. Like the fig tree, you were designed with a purpose. When you fail to be who you were designed to be, you fail to honor God and the role He wants you to play in His rescue mission. You were created for a reason. Jesus died a purposeful death so you could live a purposeful life. Just going through the motions won't cut. The purpose of Souled Out, YEC, or even Wednesday nights are made to help you live out the purpose and for you to hear about the one who gives you purpose. However, if your faith is designed around Souled Out each year then you cannot expect your faith to grow. If you go to church just to go but not live it out you can't expect to grow. It's not always easy, but that is part of the importance of surrounding yourself with other believers.

God's rescue mission was in His mind before the creation of the world. God's mission to save people from their sins started with Adam and Eve, and passed through people like Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, and David. Jesus made this rescue mission real. And people like Peter, Paul, James, and John advanced the mission. Countless others throughout history have as well. Millions of people over thousands of years. Guess what? It's your turn. Where will you join God's mission? Think about this as you go throughout today.

Reflect:
1.) Are there consequences for us when we fail to grow in our faith and live it out? What might some of these consequences be?

2.) What does pursuing God's purpose for your life have to do with growing your faith?

Prayer:
Thank God for expecting you to play a part in His mission, and for giving you the opportunity to do so. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to seek out your purpose by getting on board with His mission