What is my purpose in this life? What am I here for? What is God's will for my life? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? I am sure most of us have. I am certain when we were young we were asked the typical questions: What do you want to do with your life? What do you want to be when you grow up? Have you decided what profession you would like to study in college? When we were young we dreamed about what the future held for us and the possibilities that lay ahead. It seemed we had our whole lives in front of us and there was nothing to stop us.

Now that some of us are older, we may have accomplished what we had planned to do in our youth and reached those goals that we ventured out to achieve. Others might be regretting not going to college or pursuing the dream they had in our hearts or pondering why they didn't at least take a chance.

The Apostle Paul wrote, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13, 14 KJV)

In other words, "Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note but today is what you spend."

We can't change the past, but we can surely shape our future. It really doesn't matter how old or young you might be. It is a decision you have to make today of what you want to do, not for yourself, but God.

I believe we are here for God's purposes and to be about the Father's business. I understand many need to work a job to provide for their family and pay the bills, but life is more than working 40-60 hours a week and trying to participate in every school and social function that is offered.

Sometimes, I think many people just do what everyone else is doing so they will feel accepted in the society in which we live. They almost become like robots in their daily lives. There must be more to life than that. Wouldn't you agree?

I believe that when we were born, we won the jackpot. Just the chances of being born are astronomical. So no one should feel like they are a born loser. I realize some are born with disabilities and challenges, but they have life! They can still make something of their lives and make a difference in this world.

That brings me to my point. I believe God has a plan for every person in this world. I know some people might be perceived as the scum of the earth, but if that person sincerely turns from their sins and gives their life to God, He can use them for His glory.

Michael W. Smith wrote a song called, "Place in This World." I believe we need to begin (or continue) to find each of our places in this world.

We all have a purpose to do, something to give and accomplish for God in this lifetime. But it will take a choice, effort, faithfulness and many more attributes to get to that 'place.'

In Romans chapter 12, the apostle Paul encourages Roman believers throughout the entire chapter to offer up their lives to God as a living sacrifice.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
(Romans 12:1-2 MSG)

I know many of us are so busy trying to just keep up with our daily duties, but let's take time to receive from God our daily bread. Some make the excuse they can't do anything for God, because they are working two or three jobs and they have so much 'on their plates.'

That may be so, but busyness can become a great place to hide from doing what God has planned in their lives. One day while driving between meetings, I heard the voice of God say to me, "Matthew 6:33 still works." Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT) I knew He wasn't just saying that to me, but to the body of Christ.

How long are we going to be about 'our business' instead of being about the 'Father's business?' I am not judging anyone, but I believe when we stand before God we won't be judged on what we did in life, but rather on what we were called to do.

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 tells us that we don't even belong to ourselves! What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (KJV)

There are so many people that have stopped going to church for one reason or another. After a period of time it becomes so easy to stay home that they haven't even entered through a church doors in years. Now, I understand that going to church isn't going to make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's is going to make you a hamburger. But going to church will make you a stronger Christian. Hebrews 10 shows us that this would happen to believers.

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
(Heb. 10:24-25 AMP)

I want to challenge those of you who haven't been attending church to find a good church, start attending and get involved. There are some things the Lord may have told you do and you haven't done them in years. Pick those things back up and do those desires He put in your heart.

Each of us needs to TAKE OUR PLACE in the body of Christ. We are important to God and His plan that He has for this earth and for those who live here. John 3:16 shows us how much God loved the world; He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life. God gave the best thing He had to offer for us and it is Jesus. Shouldn't we at least give Him our best?

Start somewhere, but find your place!

Todd Bailey Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.