Life Gets Its Meaning And Purpose From God

"Today's Devotion" For October 17, 2005

Read: Deuteronomy 34:1-8; Psalm 90

LIFE GETS ITS MEANING AND PURPOSE FROM GOD

"My son, do not forget My teaching, but keep My commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." (Pr. 3:1, 2)

Yesterday, our younger son, Jonathan, was seventeen years old. Today he's eighteen. By law he's now no longer a minor, but an adult. He can sign legal documents, make contracts, enlist in the armed forces without parental consent, and, essentially, do whatever he chooses to do without any thought of whether it's agreeable to his parents. He's now the fifth of our seven children to reach the "age of majority." It's a ritual we're kind of used to around our house. So far, every one of our children has turned 18 while still completing their senior year in high school. So it's a significant day. Isn't it amazing what can change in a matter of twenty-four hours?

At the same time, as his age and legal standing in the community has changed, Jonathan's relationship with his family has not. He's still our son; we still feed him; we still provide transportation; we still are there to see him through the joys and difficulties of life. At the end of the school year he'll graduate and prepare to go to his next destination. He'll be much more on his own because he'll be away from home. It's been the same for all of our children, as I'm sure it's true in many other families as well. Most important, however, are the bonds that have been forged through teaching him the things he needs to know about life and people, especially as a servant of Jesus Christ living in a loving relationship with his Father in heaven and sharing God's love in Christ with others.

Life is a series of steps. Each one taken leads to another step, and another, and another. If we don't know where we're going as we take these steps through life, we'll have no idea that we've arrived at our destination when we get there. We're reminded that God gives us the direction we need to go as the Proverb says, "My son, do not forget My teaching, but keep My commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity" (Pr. 3:1, 2). It doesn't matter how old we are, how long we've been "away from home," or where we are in our lives. Regardless of circumstances, God's Word and Will for us is still the foundation upon which we build our lives and touch others with His love. Just as children carry with them the things they've been taught by their parents so also do we, God's redeemed children in Jesus Christ, carry with us what He has taught us concerning our lives with Him and our service to others. While each year of life seems to take a toll on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, each year also brings new blessings, new strength, and new opportunities from God to serve and love Him and others in Jesus' name.

One of the more poignant, yet sad accounts, in the life of Moses is the Deuteronomy account of his death. Even before he dies, the Holy Spirit allowed him to see his end and pen the words himself. He'd lived a life filled with God's presence and love. For the first 80 years of his life, God had prepared him for the privilege of leading Israel out of slavery in Egypt and back to the "Promised Land." His life had been filled with ups and downs, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He hadn't always been obedient to God, yet at the same time he had lived in God's love and forgiveness. In the end, his final act of disobedience cost Moses entry into the "Promised Land." Yet, still blessed by God we're told that, at 120 years of age, "his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone (v.7). He had lived a full life of service to God and His people, Israel. He was laid to rest by God Himself and gathered into the heavenly realm to experience the joy of the Lord forever. Moses' life reminds us that life truly gets its meaning and purpose from God and He has made us His own so that we might live lives filled with meaning and purpose in service to Him and others on our way to our final "birthday" in heaven..

Prayer: Father, it's really easy for me to forget that life's true meaning and purpose comes from my relationship with You in Jesus Christ. Without Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Him, my life would be without meaning and understanding. You teach me in Your Word what I need to know so that I can make good decisions in my relationships with others, my service to others, and how I represent Your to the world. Sometimes I fail to live in a manner pleasing to You and suffer the consequences of my behavior. Yet, in the midst of such troubling times, Your love and forgiveness are ever present, reminding me that I'm always Your child and You will always be there for me. Guide me in all that I do with my life so that I might touch the lives of others with Your love in Jesus so they, too, might know and believe that life truly gets its meaning and purpose from You. I pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
*****************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.