Discussion - What's the point?

"For I know what I have planned for you,' says the Lord. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

As many times as we may have heard or read this verse, how many of us actually believe it?

Life is all about figuring out what your purpose is on earth and doing it. Some people find it, some spend an entire lifetime searching for it, some people genuinely just don't care.

However, for those that DO care, the quest to figure out the purpose for our existence may seem like a never ending race to a forever distant finish line. Even when we think we have a grasp of what we believe to be our purpose -- moving towards it can become discouraging along the way.

If you're near your bible or have a bible app, go to the book of Ecclesiastes. The author of this particular book, (Solomon) is known to be one of the wisest kings ever. Of course he wasn't/isn't as wise as Jesus, but we can all agree that he was pretty smart. Well, in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon pretty much sums up life as a whole describing a lot of the things that we do in life as futile or like "chasing the wind". With all of his wisdom, he tried out pretty much everything that the world had to offer.

"I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless - like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."- Ecc. 2:10-11

Wow. That is a lot to take in. However, it's probably safe to assume that others have not only felt that way before, but may be feeling that way right now.

Do you ever feel like everything you do in life, (no matter how big or how little it is) is ultimately profitless or pointless? Like all the effort you put into your dreams or goals will just come up as having no point in the end? If you answered yes, trust me you are not alone.

So what's the point in striving for your goals and dreams then if in the end all of it is going to be pointless? Good question.

Here's my answer - Think about what/who you're doing it for. Jeremiah 29:11 says that the LORD knows what HE has planned for you. We have to remember why we are on the earth. We are here to do what God has designed us to do. Yes, we have free will and we have a personality -- but God gave us our talents and skills for a reason. We can use these talents to help others while also glorifying God and although it sounds easy, somewhere along the way the world distracted us causing us to get off track. If you think about it, half of the time we feel discouraged it is because we are looking at others success and basing our lives off of where they are compared to us. We should all remember that regardless if you're rich, poor, successful, unsuccessful, happy, unhappy, famous, not famous etc...we all have the same fate. However, the difference lies in who you lived for. Proverbs 16:9 says "A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps". There are so many things to do while on the earth but that doesn't mean we have to do them all. I've had so many plans fail miserably and when I look back at them, I realized it was because I was trying to glorify myself. Even if we look at the verse above, Solomon did all the things that HE wanted and he did what would bring HIM pleasure, all to find out that it was all profitless. Solomon was a wise man though, he ended the book of Ecclesiastes with this statement:

"Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 

He also mentioned this earlier in the book:

"There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God. For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from Him." Ecc. 2:24-25

What about those people who don't even try to do the right thing in life, but it seems like they have everything that they could ever want...while I just sit here struggling? Well, Solomon then says:

"For to the one who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth - only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile - like chasing wind!" - Ecc. 2:26

So basically, all the people that are getting success by evil means are going to have to give all their profit to the righteous in the end. See how good God is? (Also, I don't know about you but wisdom, knowledge, and joy seems a lot better than money)

You may not know what your purpose is on earth yet, however remember that you do have a purpose. Trust in God to direct your steps and He won't only show you your purpose, but He already has the tools set out to make it succeed as well. The ultimate reward is being able to spend an eternity with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly father.

"For I know what I have planned for you,' says the Lord. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

Don't give up, and don't be discouraged. The only chance you have to do what your purpose is in the earth is while you're on the earth. So align your dreams, goals, and talents with what God has planned for you and flourish! Don't be afraid! 

"So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

What are your dreams and goals? What do you feel like your purpose on earth is? Let's discuss.