When Your Why Becomes Bigger Than Your What

Many Americans are concerned about the policies of the new administration.

Most of the concerns are coming from conservatives and Christians. Both groups are surprised and alarmed by the decisions of the White House and President Joe Biden.

Troubling times are not new to Christians. Believers have suffered cultural wars in every generation. As Christians, we must trust the Lord with the things that trouble us.

We don’t have to look too deep in the Scripture to discover the previous tests and trials against Christians.

In fact, the Christian faith is known for its trials. During test and trials, we search for answers. We wonder what is happening.

Trials help us discover our why—especially when it looks like the enemy has us in his clutches. When the devil believes He has the upper hand, he often overplays his cards. If we read the Bible stories to the end, we see God’s people come out on top.

Let’s use the story of David and Goliath as an example. Goliath was huge and strong. He was boastful and arrogant, and many believed that Goliath was unbeatable. This wasn’t true.

As we know, the little shepherd boy, David, defeated the mighty warrior with a sling and a stone. David defeated the giant. The story is the ultimate good versus evil triumph.

Second Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

God is always leading us to triumph. That means we win—always.

Some say the fight is fixed. Our God has no rival and no equals.

While it’s true we know who wins, we must understand why we win. This is not the time to back down or crawl into a fetal position. It may look like we are losing the war, but we aren’t.

It is time for the church and all believers to get informed on the issues and unite. Yes, the government has earthly power, and the church carries divine authority.

It is quintessential for the church to realize the power of prayer. It is also essential for believers to understand that we serve a divine plan.

So, my first piece of advice is simple.

We must know we have a divine purpose.

The Bible character David is a great example. David was not just a shepherd boy or a giant killer. David was a servant of God. David knew his time on earth was for advancing God’s kingdom and God’s purpose.

Like David, God designed our future according to His purpose. We must make sure we are living for the right purpose. This earth is temporary, and so is our time here. Our time on earth is like a vapor and measured by eternity; years on the earth are only a fraction of our afterlife experience.

Living for this earth is secondary to the higher purpose of living for the kingdom of God.

This is the reason we must discover our “why.” David discovered his “why” … why he was born.

Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.”

Discovering our “why” is paramount. If you have not found your “why”, then take it seriously. It matters. To know your “why” is the difference between surviving and thriving. It is the difference between just living and having a life.

My best opinion is that your “why” starts with knowing God.

Jesus came to give us life and unlock our purpose.

“The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

So, to discover your divine purpose begins with an earthly decision—the decision to follow Jesus.

How do we receive Jesus? We confess with our mouth and believe in our heart.

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10).

It all starts there. {eoa}

Thomas McDaniels is a pastor and writer. He has written for churchleaders.com and currently is a contributing writer for Fox News. He is also the founder of LifeBridge.tv and the Longview Dream Center in Longview, Texas.

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