I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. Recently, while navigating difficult life challenges that we all encounter, God blessed me with a delightful surprise. My energy was depleted, yet I still maintained joy, though my burdens felt incredibly heavy. I visited two wonderful friends who are sisters, and they organized for us to stay overnight in a charming and beautiful historic home in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. The room I stayed in was my favorite interior design color: blue. I felt so blessed and humbled that my friends thought so much of me during a very difficult time. It uplifted me.
Christianity is designed to be the greatest blessing given to humanity. The term "Christian" essentially refers to a follower of Jesus Christ. If we follow Christ, we are to be like Him. Plain and simple. Why is this such a complicated issue? Why do we struggle with so many deep, complex biblical teachings yet overlook the simple, obvious teachings of Christ every day? The world is a better place—or should be—because of the presence of Christ-like human beings who understand their purpose and have a solid sense of direction in life each day.
If you struggle with understanding your purpose and the meaning of life, Jesus provides guidance in His sermon on the mount. He says, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV).
Jesus is the light of the world. We are to reflect Him in everything. As a follower of Christ, I have a true purpose in being here on planet Earth. Just like my friends, who blessed me with their simple gesture of love, I must also continue that preserving, service-oriented spirit to bless others. We are here for good works. Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) tells us that “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are to live to bless others, and in doing so, we are blessed!
Jesus knew His purpose. We can know ours. In Luke 4:18 (KJV) Jesus said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Jesus came that we might have life, and that more abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus heals us when we are brokenhearted. All we have to do is come to Him: His word, the Bible, when rightly read and understood, delivers us from the bondage of sin. We are transformed. Jesus opens our eyes to what is real, what is important, and what truly matters in this life. Jesus sets us free!
Call to Action
When Jesus sets us free, we experience freedom from the lasting damage caused by the terrible events of this life, often things beyond our control. Knowing Christ transforms our thinking, enabling us to live and function differently. Then we share and tell others; this is what Christianity is all about: becoming change agents and being a people with a purpose. When we are in Christ, we become new. We are then equipped to bring that same good news, that same light, and that same healing balm to others. This is our purpose. This is our mission. Will you pray with me to allow the Lord to give us His mission of healing and hope, and be salt and light to others today?
