Purpose Over People

There comes a point and time in our lives where we have to make choices--choices about the environments we frequent, the friends we keep, or perhaps the jobs we take. As Christians, one of the major choices we make is deciding to walk in our purpose and doing the things we are called to do.  

The path to finding one's purpose in life doesn't look the same for everybody, and some may not agree with what we are called to do; however, we have to choose our purpose over people because we're called to do so. In Acts 4, Peter and John were preaching the Good News of Jesus and His resurrection to the people. The leading priests took issue with what they were saying, and arrested them. The next day, the council of rulers demanded that Peter and John stop speaking and teaching about Jesus. The council ordered them to cease and desist what they were ordained to do. But in verses 19-20, Peter and John replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?  We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard.”  

Sometimes our purpose and our calling do not agree with others.  In the case of Peter and John, the council wanted to prevent teaching the gospel of Jesus because it was a threat to their power. Other times, people don’t like what we say or how we say it because they do not agree, it makes them uncomfortable, or maybe it is beyond their understanding; but nonetheless, we are commanded to do, say, and act according to what God says.  If we err on the side of our Lord, we won’t err at all. And by choosing God over man, we can put our faith and hope in Him, where it rightfully belongs, knowing that we do not have to worry because He's got it. But if we try to choose people over our purpose, not only will we suffer, but those whom we are here to serve will suffer too, because we didn’t do what we were supposed to do. 

So if we are ever put in a position where our family, our friends, or even our foes try to steer us away from our God given calling, I pray each and every time we boldly choose our purpose over the will of the people.

#inpurpose #onpurpose