Do you not at times feel weighed down by something so great you have no words to explain or describe it? Something bigger or better than you could possibly imagine? I recall countless times in college, when my greatest frustration and fear was feeling as though I was "wasting my life". Once, one of my college professor's laughed in response to this, puzzled by my declaration. She asked, "Why in the world would you feel like you’re wasting your life? What do you think you're supposed to be doing that you’re not already doing?" I shook my head, I didn't know. Yet, I still felt this burden for some distant purpose.
I’d like to believe I’m not alone in an awareness of this burden. An uncomfortable sense of dissatisfaction with your current place in life. Unfortunately for humanity, we are often unsure of what said “glorious purpose” may be. What is this burden that tells us we can attain something greater? What is this feeling that something beautiful is just out of our reach? What is the desire to achieve something that truly makes life worth living? When we get tired of wondering what our glorious purpose is, we feel the need to make one up (ie: my pal Loki and his quest for world domination, ha).
It is my own belief that mankind’s quest for purpose begins with a desire for their life to matter. We seek to find assurance that our losses and suffering, our successes and happiness… mean something in the grander scheme of life. The only answer to these questions, I believe are found in God and His Scripture.
Born-again Christians are burdened with the glorious purpose of a fierce and mighty God. Consequently, I believe mankind’s desire to matter stems from creation. God created Adam and Eve not only to care for the earth and be fruitful… He created them with the glorious purpose of knowing God and attending His exaltation across the earth. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says this, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (ESV). We are literally programmed for glorious purpose! The difference is that the glory is not our own, its God’s. In Isaiah 43:21 it is written, “The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise” (HCSB).
It seems so simple. Our "glorious purpose" is to glorify the majestic and holy God of the universe! He is so unquestioningly worthy of our devotion and tribute. Why is it so hard then, to feel we are living out our glorious purpose? Why do we still bear the burden?
This is where the character of Loki becomes so relatable to me. Loki is broken. He is proud. He has been let down by those he trusted and loved. Like Loki, I am often unwilling to do the one thing God requires of me… to become vulnerable. Giving praise to God requires selflessness and sacrifice. God demands that we trust him with wherever we are and whatever we're doing, believing in His greater purpose in our lives. We have to let go. The burden shall be lifted when we turn over our false ideals of control, our personal agendas, and trust the Father to be glorified in our submission. Surrendering our counterfeit authority is the only thing that will remove our burden. It’s when we renounce our worldly definition of glory and purpose that our burden becomes a call and His glory becomes our glory.
A burden crushes and destroys. A call, on the other hand, attracts, invites, and summons. Romans 8:30 says it best, "And those God chose to be like his Son [predestined; chose beforehand], he also called; and those he called, he also made right with him [declared righteous; justified]; and those he made right [declared righteous; justified], he also glorified [both a past act in Christ, and a future transformation]" (EXB). There it is! In the call, glory is achieved. Not simply "temporary human me" glory, but an omniscient God’s glory. When I glorify God, when I am content to let Him rule in my life (no matter where I am or what I feel), He allows me to share and remain in His glory. That blows my mind! When I am in Christ, my glory is no longer my own and it doesn't matter. It's his perfect glory that truly transforms me first, and then the world.
Therefore, I am satisfied to be a bearer of glorious purpose, rather than burdened with confusion over it’s meaning. I am confident in the truth of the call. His ageless and fulfilling call. It is my pursuit to bring glory to God in all I do. Specifically, every time I seek Him (pray, trust, and surrender!), listen to Him (read my Bible!), and share His goodness (testify!) with the world!
Micah 6:8