What is Your Goal in Life?

What is your purpose in life?
Why are you here?
What is your ultimate goal?

As believers in Christ, we should be able to give an answer to that question. We've all heard the phrase: "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." If our life is headed in no particular direction, chances are we aren't headed in God's direction.

If your childhood years included a catechism class, you might remember the first question of the Shorter Westminster Catechism. That question: What is the chief end of man? The answer: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

That's it. That's our goal. To bring glory to God. But that's kind of vague for a life purpose or goal. Does God clarify this any? Yes, He does. In John 15:8 He defines a central way in which we glorify God -- "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples."

We glorify God by bearing fruit. (Notice that we "bear" fruit; we do not "produce" it. The fruit comes as a result of us abiding in Christ.) But what does it mean to bear fruit?

Throughout Scripture, we encounter two ways we primarily bear fruit. We see it embodied in how Jesus called His disciples in Mark 3:14 -- "He appointed twelve...that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach."

First, we bear the fruit of the Spirit by being with Jesus. This fruit produces the virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galations 5:22,23)

Second, we bear fruit in our witness for Christ when we make Him known to others. The apostle Paul was focused on making sure that, "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing." (Colossians 1:6)

So, if asked to articulate your goal in life, how would you respond? One excellent summary is offered in the motto of the ministry of the Navigators: "To know Him and to make Him known." May that be our purpose as Jesus Christ produces His fruit in our lives.

Scripture: John 15:16 -- "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

Action Point: Develop a purpose statement for your life that you can share with others.

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