Many people today are searching to know their purpose. Those who believe in Christ and those who have not placed their faith in Him alike want to know what on earth we are here for. We want our lives to matter. We want to make an impact. I believe this longing for purpose is directly from God, and we will always come up short until we live out that purpose from Him. When we live out His purpose, we will experience fulfillment and peace in Him.
As we consider that God has instilled in us a sense of purpose, the question becomes, “What is our purpose?” Paul sheds light on what our purpose is in 2 Thessalonians 3. Specifically, he talks about praying for others, sharing our faith, and persevering. In this chapter, Paul began requesting prayer. First, he asked for prayer for himself and his fellow followers of Christ, who also contributed to this book of 2 Thessalonians, Silas, and Timothy (verses 1 and 2). Second, he expressed the importance of sharing our faith. He told readers, “pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you (verse 1). As followers of Christ, we are to be about the advancement of the message of Christ. Thirdly, Paul expressed the importance of perseverance. He wrote, “may the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” Paul understood about the importance of persevering and keeping going in the faith. When we do these three things, we embrace purpose.
If you are looking for your purpose today or feeling lost, look no further than these verses in 2 Thessalonians 3. Pray about everything. Spread God’s message worldwide and pray that God will advance His message. Finally, persevere. Do not give up. Keep going. As you live out these commands in Scripture, you will live out the purpose God has for you.
Pick one of the ways to live out our purpose discussed today: prayer, sharing our faith, and persevering that you want to focus on today. Choose to pray specifically and intentionally, focus on sharing your faith with someone in your life who is far from Christ, or focus on persevering even when you want to give up. Take note of how embracing one of these instructions brings purpose and fulfillment.
"Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. 4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.
6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen."
