You may not realize it, but youhave a God-given calling upon your life! Before God created the universe, he had a marvelous plan set in place for you! Yes, before there were planets, stars, and galaxies there was you in the heart of God! When I used to hear people make statements like this, it seemed as if they were fibbing or even possibly lying in their effort to encourage me. It wasn’t until later, when I experienced an epiphany of the goodness and grace of God that this truth became real to me. Therefore, living in this world without purpose or plan is against the design of your loving Creator! You are infinitely valuable to him, created to be just like him and therefore have something great on the inside of you to be manifested to this world through you. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13  For I know the plans I have for you," declares theLORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Another important point regarding God’s great purpose for your life is understanding the difference between God having great plans for you and the reality of the substantial preparation necessary for those plans to be carried out. With all growth, there is, like a seed, a time of digging up the soil, planting, fertilizing, watering before the desired outcome of fruit is realized.Like King Solomon said, “There are a time and a season for everything under the sun.”Ecc 3:1 

Not many balk at the idea of having been created for a purpose, but many have the distorted thinking that it won’t require hard work, resistance, discouraging times, some failure, and great persistence. Even though Jesus, as the son of God, came with a grand purpose from heaven, he had to go through great trials to fulfill his mission. 

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

Jesus' divine purpose led him down the road of suffering. He was rejected, despised, hated and ultimately killed by those he came to save. Through great trial and pain, he resiliently pursued the vision to save the world through his own’s death! 

Hebrews 5:7-10  During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus had over 30 years of preparation – Moses, more than  80 … Would it be reasonable that you and I also need preparation? I think this is the part we don't want to hear much about. We say, "God I'm ready – give me my ministry and let me prosper;" and yet get angry at God when he allows the trials that will bring the purpose-killer attitudes and thoughts to the surface to be dealt with. For gold to be ready, it must go through the heat so that the dross (impurities) comes to the top so that it can be skimmed off. I think we often have the mistaken idea that we don’t have anything that needs to be skimmed off regarding our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. But when we are squeezed, like a sponge, we find out what is inside of us. 

A great trainer would never allow his trainee to go to the competition and ultimately fail because of improper training!Likewise, intense training and thorough preparation areindispensable for those who will do great things. Are you going through challenging times? Know that you are in the process! Godis preparing to show you off on the grand stage of life! You have the goods! They are deep inside of you, but only thorough training will get them ready for the stage!  If you are in the process, don’t shrink back! If God thought about you before he created the universe, he, without a doubt has a marvelous plan for your life! 

I guess the question is, will you trust your Trainer? Will you trust God with everything you have? Will you rest in His arms of love because you know that great purpose and eternal significance are being nurtured during…

THIS SEASON OF YOUR LIFE!

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