Know. Grow. Go!Sample

# Divine Purpose ### By Samantha Rodriguez “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”— 2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB) Have you ever let your youth intimidate you from doing something you wanted to do? Or have you ever been ignored or overlooked because of your age? I still remember the time my school counselor did not let me join the high school band because I was still in eighth grade. Regardless of my dedication and band instructor’s recommendation, they said I could not enter the class because I was not “in high school.” You can probably imagine my little broken middle school heart, and I’m sure you can recall a similar experience. In the New Testament, we read about Timothy who was a young, gifted, follower of Christ whom Paul discipled. Based on the letters Paul wrote to him, 1 and 2 Timothy, we can safely assume that Timothy had some reservations and insecurities about being a young leader in the church. At the beginning of his second letter, Paul reminds Timothy of the gift God has given him. Then he proclaims that the Lord has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, not one of fear. To put this in perspective, think of your own life. If you’re a young follower of Christ, don’t let yourself believe the lie that you don’t have influence or purpose. Right after saying this, Paul tells Timothy what we read in the verse above, that because of our Father’s grace and love for us, He saved us, called us, and gave us a divine purpose. Whether we realize it or not, everyone in the world is looking for purpose. We seek it in acceptance, material desires, pleasure, or even good deeds, yet Paul makes it very clear in his letters that it is neither works nor earthly things that will save us or give us purpose. We must remember that our one calling as born-again believers of Christ Jesus is to glorify Him through our faith, hope, and love. Out of that unified calling is borne our unified purpose: to walk in courageous faith, to persevere because of our living hope, and to know Christ through his unfailing love. He, who freed us from the bondage of sin and death and credited us with His righteousness, has given us every reason to live! He has also given us each unique gifts and passions that extend our purpose and add to our calling. Praise be to our Lord and Father who so willingly loved every wretched part of us so that now we may take on the holy calling and divine purpose which He prepared for us before time began! DIG: Our new identity in Christ is directly connected to our purpose and calling. Who does Jesus say you are as a new creation in Him? Look up some Bible verses about our new identity in Christ. DISCOVER: Now that you know you have a divine purpose and a holy calling in Christ, what do you need to surrender that is holding you back from embracing your new identity? We are no longer slaves to sin, so whatever sin struggle you may be battling, surrender it to the Lord and ask him to equip you with the Holy Spirit and the truth of His Word to combat it. DO: Knowing what our new identity is and that we have a divine purpose should alter the way we live. Allow that knowledge to fill your heart today and live from a state of humility, thankfulness, and excitement. Let the joy and hope that the Lord has given to His beloved shine for the world to see!