“We can trust that God will use the zigzags in our lives to further our mission. . . . What He is calling us to do may require a deeper level of character and faith than we currently have. . . . His ultimate purposes for our lives are often achieved by circumstances that seem to make no sense on the surface, but are accomplishing a significant work in us and through us.”- Chip Ingram
“In order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”- Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV)
In Chapter 4 (“How to Embrace Your Purpose”) of I Choose Joy, Chip Ingram stresses that unless you know what your purpose is, you can’t experience the power of purpose. Thus, this serves as the crucial question that accompanies the second key to choosing joy.
Or, to put it another way, without a sense of purpose, you fail to experience deep, lasting joy. In addition, Chip notes, you also need a good grasp on what’s really important and how you fit into God’s plans. So, Chip states, if purpose functions as a key to joy, you must ask some very important questions:
- Why was I created?
- What am I called to do?
- Do my priorities reflect the purpose God has given me?
Certainly, the apostle Paul understood that his calling centered on advancing the gospel. However, Chip notes, this wasn’t Paul’s highest priority. Rather, Paul’s all-consuming passion focused on knowing Christ and being found in Him. To have a deep, meaningful, and intimate relationship with Jesus.
In conclusion, Pastor Ingram exhorts:
“Because we see how the zigzags in Paul’s life furthered his mission, we can trust that . . . the zigs and zags are part of God’s loving agenda to make Christ known, strengthen His church, and deepen our faith.”
Today’s question: What zigzags helped you attain a deeper level of character and faith? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Devalue the message of the gospel?”