Image credit: mshch / 123RF Stock Photo

This week, we heard tell of a suicide attempt by a young man from a family that we know.  Thankfully it was unsuccessful.  Still what remains is bitter heartbreak for him and those who love him!  I hung up the phone and my kiddos, having overheard my part of the conversation, wanted to know what was wrong, who was hurt?  Now, they are getting older, at 8 and 10.  So this year, I have begun to unpack difficult things for them; I might have kept them from learning about this, if they were younger.  But I want to provide them with a lens through which they can view their world; I want to give them the Truth, firsthand.

Suicide is a hard thing to explain to naive and happy hearts.  Not knowing the particular circumstances, I said, ” Sometimes people lose hope.  They may be overwhelmed by discouragement and think that their lives have no worth or purpose.”  Wide, wide eyes looked back at me.  This did not really compute for them.  They have been taught about their purpose and their worth.  They cannot imagine, at this age, anything erasing that knowledge.  Their future is in the LORD’s hands.  Right now, all I have is this opportunity He has given me: to pour HIM via the Word, into them, and let the Holy Spirit grow their faith and knowledge and love of the the LORD.  And I have faith in His Word: so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

But I had often wondered, like so many, at adolescence and beyond, Why am I here?  What difference does my life make, anyway?  I had read the Bible.  I knew the Gospel.  I loved the LORD.  But my heart could not overcome my own sense of worthlessness, to really understand my place in this world.  I  heard the crystal clear answer in a catechism, as I was teaching it to my children, this Truth that I had not not really known or felt as a child or an adult.  Q: What is the primary purpose of man?  A: The primary purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1).

My purpose is not about me; rather it is about Him.  This does not diminish me.  On the contrary, my purpose is joined with His; my life has eternal significance; and when I do my part, of giving Him glory, nothing is wasted. Of course, this purpose, it is all there, in the WORD…It was always there, but somehow I had missed it.  {Amazing ~ I wrote this portion yesterday morning.  Last night at Bible study, friends spoke these exact words about our purpose.  What a blessing…}

My Worldview was clouded by my own experiences and, in my ears, the voice of the world roared over the Voice of Truth.  If you have been reading about The Family Workshop, you will know that we have a pattern to follow when trying to Build Our House Upon the Word: Hearing and Doing.  Hearing the Truth AND Doing it are foundational to a purpose-filled life!

Now, we will address hearing this Truth.  Let’s hear what God’s Word has to say about His glory.  Then the next few posts will address what we can do to declare His glory with our lives and in our families.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and joy are in His place. (1 Chron 16:23-27).

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36).

Worthy are You, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will they existed and were created.  (Revelations 4:11).

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6).

Today, simplify your to do list.  Quiet your busy mind.  Turn from the relentless management of your time.  Instead, dwell on His majesty, His great works.  Try to wrap your mind around the stars and the oceans, cuddly babies and wise elders, your breath and heartbeat, the wind and the rain and the sunshine, grass and flowers and trees, animals who are ferocious or diligent or nurturing.  Wrap your mind around the idea of Yahweh, who never changes and is steadfast in His loving pursuit of us.  He is Almighty and powerful, yet He came down to earth to rescue a stubborn and undeserving people.  We must give Him the glory due His name (Psalm 29:2).

justAgirl…just like you!