For The Glory of God

By F. D. Adkins

My son has taken some college classes before during high school, but this is his first official year of college. And as he is finishing up those general studies courses this semester, I have been trying to help him be sure of his major, because let’s face it, college is too expensive to take courses that aren’t needed. However, choosing a career that you will spend the rest of your life doing is not easy for a teenager, and it seems that the pressure to make these decisions keeps getting younger and younger. Honestly, how many of us adults are still searching for our purpose in life?

As helping my son with this decision was tucked in my mind and as I finished reading the book of Exodus, one particular passage stirred my thoughts on how God has created each of us with a purpose in mind… His purpose. This passage comes after God has given Moses specific instructions for building the tabernacle and the items within it.

• “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.” Exodus 31:1-6 KJV

God has listed every intricate detail to be crafted in the building of the tabernacle… intricate details that would require people with special artistic talents. Then, God tells Moses that he has given Bezaleel special abilities to create the things He has requested along with Aholiab and others that he has gifted wisdom to make the items.

Growing up in church and Sunday School, the knowledge that God has a plan for each of our lives is not a new sudden epiphany. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

And the Bible even details that Adam, the first man, had a specific job to do.  

• “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15 KJV

The Bible also tells us that God has created us with different gifts and talents. In the book of Romans, chapter 12, Paul writes, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:4-8 KJV).

In other words, as children of God, we are united as the body of Christ. But just as our bodies have different parts with different functions, each of us has a different purpose in God’s ultimate plan. And one person’s purpose is not any less important than another’s purpose. We are not all destined to be doctors just as every organ in our body is not a heart. We also need a brain, lungs, kidneys, intestines, and even our toes have an essential role.

So, I suppose by now, you are asking where I am going with this. Well, let me go back to my son’s search for a college major and choosing a career. As his mom, I want to know that he is in a secure field where employment will be readily available and that he will make enough money to provide for a family. But did you notice my wording… “as his mom… I want.” I often hear and see comments people make about not being happy with their job. And I think that it is safe to say that most of us want to make more money. Money makes our lives more comfortable, and prices are not going down. But first and foremost, we need to seek out God’s purpose for our lives. ‘What did God create me to do?’ ‘What gift or gifts has God given me to use for His glory?’

Sometimes, it takes a little experimentation to discover our talents… and discover what talents we do not have. For example, singing is not one of my talents.  

But my question is, when we discover what our talents and gifts are, how many of us use them for the purpose God intended… for His glory? If we aren’t happy in what we are doing, maybe it is because we are not doing it for God.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Colossians 3:23 KJV