Living On Purpose

What does it look like to live on purpose? The English word purpose derives from an old Anglo-French verb meaning “to propose.” In marriage, when a man proposes to his soon to be bride, he is saying to the women, “My purpose is to spend the rest of my life with you. There will be no others but you.” This eliminates any and all other options that might present themselves. Furthermore, anything that might possibly come into conflict with living on purpose must not even be considered. 

Daniel lived on purpose. The Bible says this: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine he drank, therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (Daniel 1:8, NKJV. Emphasis mine). Daniel had purposed in his heart to live a life of purity and obedience. Therefore, he proposed an alternative diet that would allow him to remain pure and be obedient to God. God honored his proposal. 

Daniel’s decision was not a spur of the moment decision. Years prior, Daniel had made up his mind his heart would be purposed towards complete obedience to the Lord. Thus, Daniel did not wonder what he should do when confronted with the delicacies of the king. Daniel worshiped the true King; the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And his purpose was to live a life that honored the King.

Daniel’s earlier decision to live on purpose, made his future decisions easier. What is your purpose in life? May we all propose to live lives that are pure and obedient to God, and thus eliminate all other decisions that might stand contrary to that purpose. 

In Christ,