What makes ordinary people extraordinary? Recently, I read an article about the many qualities that do this. First on the list — aim, vision and purpose. Successful people constantly seek clarity in their lives. They have a clear sense of direction that gives them the ability to stay on course. Do you know your purpose in life? Not just for your profession, or in your role as a spouse, sibling or parent. Do you know why you are here? Why you’ve been placed on this earth, and what God has intended for you to accomplish?
When Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, He knew why He was here. After being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus went into the synagogue and opened the scroll of Isaiah and read, “’ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed’” (Luke 4:18).
Jesus knew His mission and He was very successful as He carried out His purpose — to save us from our sins. Before paying the price for our sins, He went throughout the land, “teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them” (Matthew 4:23-24). Amazement fills my heart every time I read about this and how Jesus traveled to many cities and villages, “healing every sickness and every disease among the people” — isn’t that incredible (Matthew 9:35)?
How did Jesus accomplish all of this? Jesus depended on His Father in heaven (John 5:30). Jesus didn’t seek His will but the will of His Father in heaven. He was completely dependent on God the Father. Jesus was focused on His mission — He knew why He was here.
In the final hours before Jesus died for our sins, He prayed, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4 ESV). Jesus knew why He was here — and He knew He had been accomplishing the work but Jesus wasn’t done yet.
Carrying the sins of the world weighed heavily on Him. Jesus prayed for strength to stay on course and complete His mission — to save us from our sins by dying for our sins. He cried out in anguish, “’My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39 ESV). Jesus stayed the course, when He felt weak, He prayed for strength to fulfill His purpose.
Jesus prayed with fervor throughout His ministry, to sustain Him and help Him fulfill His purpose. What about you? Do you pray with zeal each day to accomplish God’s purpose for your life? Do you pray asking God, “What would you have me to do today? Are the plans I have scheduled today, Your plans for me?”
Call to Action
The end of earth’s history is imminent. It’s time to pray with purpose, with an anguish for each other and everyone around us — like Jesus had in the Garden of Gethsemane right before completing His purpose for His first coming.
Now, before His second coming, Jesus needs people praying with purpose and putting their plans in His hands saying, “Not my will, but Your will be done. Humble me, equip me and help me to do Your will.” Before Jesus comes the second time, He needs people full of Him and His will — ready and willing to be led anywhere for the cause of Christ and to reflect His character to a dying world.
Will you pray with purpose to follow God's will for your life?
Will you pray with purpose to reach others for Jesus before it’s too late?
Unless noted otherwise, scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
