City Life Starter

The Word

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.

Jeremiah 1:5

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13-14

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Reflection

If anyone has read the practice of the presence OF GOD by brother Lawrence, then you should grasp the basis for finding purpose and meaning in life. Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk in the 17th century who joined a monastery in France after having been injured from his time as a soldier. He was not as able as most of the other monks and was given the most humblest of tasks to work in the kitchen and prepare food.

Brother Lawrence was not bothered by this and did everything, even the simplest of chores, with prayer and by practicing the presence of God. He would do the chores of two or three others but never be rushed or flustered. He was in constant communion with God and loved everyone the same as he loved God, always seeking to bring people into the same relationship with God that he was experiencing. His joy and love rubbed off on all those around him. Brother Lawrence may have been the least in the monastery, but his presence and love for God made him the greatest.

Brother Lawrence found purpose in life by his close relationship with Jesus. His purpose was to please God and he had such joy in his prayers and closeness to God that everything he did came with a heart full of thanksgiving. There was purpose in every small task and everything had a meaning to him. He wanted to serve God and bring others to salvation.

God made you and knew you before the beginning of time. All He wants is to have this same relationship with you and with this to give you a purpose and meaning. This bond which was made possible through the blood of Jesus on the cross.

Just think about what joy Brother Lawrence had and desire this for yourself. This joy and presence of God will be magnified a hundredfold in heaven where eternity with Him awaits.

Application

How are you practicing the presence of God in your life? Are you seeking after God and His purpose for you? Finding your purpose in God is what brings meaning to life and will give you joy to the fullest.

Begin by praying to God in everything you do. Make God the center of everything within your day and spend time in the Word. It won’t take long before you start becoming more like Jesus.

Prayer

Help me Father to become closer to You and finding purpose through my relationship with You. This life is full of things that take up my time and push me away from You. Help me get rid of the distractions and find meaning in everything I do. Thank You for sending Your son Jesus to die for my sins so I can have this relationship. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.