What is our purpose?

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. – Exodus 9:16

Purpose. Such a direct word, yet sometimes so difficult to interpret. One dictionary defines purpose as, “the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used”. What is our purpose here on earth? What is it that we are meant to accomplish for God? There are limitless possibilities, but how do we narrow that down to what God has intended for us?

Pharaoh most likely thought that his purpose was to make sure that others fulfilled his will. As one of the most powerful rulers of the time, Pharaoh simply had to speak and what he had requested would be done. The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was both the embodiment of the law and the chief priest, appointed by the gods to uphold order. Honestly, this probably gave Pharaoh a bit of an inflated ego. You grow up being told that you are the next big thing, the main attraction, and I imagine that your ego would puff up a bit as well.

What Pharaoh didn’t know, was that this was not his purpose. The God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had a different purpose for him. Pharaoh was about to find out what that was, and it surely turned his world upside down.

Moses was told by God to get up early, go stand in front of Pharaoh, and tell him to let His people go. If He didn’t, then he would bring more plagues against Egypt. In the middle of this, God chastises Pharaoh for not listening to Him before. He drops the hammer on Pharaoh by saying, “I put you in this position. This is My design, not yours. I’ve done this so that you, Pharaoh, you can see my power and then My name will be declared over all the earth.” How life-shattering would that be? To stand there as the most powerful man on Earth and be told by God that whatever purpose he may have thought he had was wrong had to destroy his spirit. God follows that up with, “I know you’re not going to let them go this time either, so here comes some big hail. You might want to tell your people to bring their animals in and stay inside, else they will die.” (All quotes from God in this paragraph are paraphrased)

Just like that, Pharaoh’s purpose was revealed. He was there to be an example of what not to do. When God talks to you, shows you His power six times already, yet you still refuse, bad things will happen. God had placed Pharaoh there for the purpose of showing His power through what was going to happen. Pharaoh was there because of God’s design, not his own.

So, how do we find that design in our own lives? When you find a formula for that, send me an email, because I don’t know. What I do know, is that God has gifted each of us in unique ways, given us different passions, desires, and abilities, and placed us where we are for a purpose. What God says to Pharaoh could just as easily be said to us. A pastor is placed in that position so that God’s power may be shown, and His name declared. A stay at home mom is placed in that position so that God’s power may be shown, and His name declared. The President of the United States is placed in that position so that God’s power may be shown, and His name declared. We don’t live our lives in a bubble, separate from God.

Each of us have been placed here for a purpose. In a commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs said, “[y]our time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Don’t look to others for your purpose, pray that God would reveal His purpose for your life.

What is your purpose?

What gifts and abilities are you using to declare God’s name?

Where have you hardened your heart towards God and his purpose?