A purpose larger than yourself

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”

Our Bible verse for today: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “A purpose larger than yourself”

Too many people live small lives. Christians too. I’m speaking of lives that are self-absorbed and focused largely on what the individual thinks they need or want, and what they believe to be in their own best interest. These are folks who are inwardly focused. Most of them are nice people. Many of them are good husbands, wives, parents, and friends. It’s just that their lives are lived in a very small orbit with a perspective that is limited to themselves and their close circle.

“Live life large” is a better approach. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a globe-trotting, adventure-seeking, Indiana Jones character jumping out of airplanes and wrestling alligators in the Jungle. But it does mean that your focus extends beyond yourself and your immediate circle of family and friends. It means that you are actively involved in things that benefit other people and which make the world a better place. It means that you have a purpose in life that is larger than yourself.

For the Christian that larger purpose is summarized beautifully in Jesus’ finally instructions before ascending back up to heaven. In Acts 1:8 He told us that our mission on earth is to be His witnesses. He even told us that we would receive the power of the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to live this larger life and to effectively be on-mission with Him carrying on His work in this world.

Having a purpose in life that is larger than yourself certainly does include an intentional focus on protecting, providing for, and caring for your loved ones. It can also include preparing for and engaging in a lifetime of meaningful work in a career of some sort, as well as participation in community service organizations and other activities like that. But for the Christian the larger purpose, the living of life large, must also include an Acts 1:8 mentality. And for that, we need a good church to do it with.

Acts 1:8 gives us a model for ministry that can and should govern the life of a church. At Oak Hill Baptist we are an Acts 1:8 church. If you would like to read a description of how we have turned that into a concise and focused model for ministry that governs all aspects of our church life, let me know and I will send you a copy of it.

Being fully involved in the life and ministry of a good church that is actively on-mission with Jesus, is an excellent way for the individual Christian to live life large by having a purpose that is larger than yourself. In what ways will you be on-mission with Jesus in 2025?

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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