What is the purpose of life?
That’s a big question. It’s one that many people have pondered for many years. People seek their purpose in the acquisition of wealth, the experience of adventure, political causes, personal ambitions, social status, physical fitness, and so much more.
There are many purposes, but without God, what good are they? Nothing.
In his perfect prayer Jesus sets before us the only worthwhile purpose. It’s found in the first request of the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be your Name.”
To “hallow” something is to honour it as holy, to glorify and praise it. Jesus says that we have to begin our prayers desiring that the only God be honoured everywhere.
With this prayer, we ask that God will show his glory in this world. May He show it in sending the four seasons in their proper time. May He show it in ruling the kings and nations of the earth. May He show his glory in having mercy on his sinful people.
And when we pray “Hallowed be your Name,” we ask that we also may be involved in showing God’s glory in this world.
So how do we live out this purpose every day?
We bring God praise when we love him and we trust him. We bring God praise when we obey his holy Word. We bring God praise by being a living part of his church. We bring God glory when we saturate our lives with prayer and worship.
We live out our purpose when we strive to be like Jesus our Saviour in everything we do.
Here is the only fitting purpose for our lives. It’s a simple yet profound pursuit for our lives. And it’s the only purpose that God will bless.
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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Prayer: Lord God, help me to live and work for your glory, for you alone are worthy of all my praise and love and obedience, now and always. Amen.