Live on Purpose

In his classic story, Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll depicts an intriguing encounter between the iconic young blonde girl, Alice, and the devious Cheshire Cat. The dialogue goes something like this:

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don't much care where.
Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.

Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

I cannot think of a conversation that more accurately conveys the attitude most people have and the approach that they take on their journey through the Wonderland of life. Just like Alice, however, we have no idea where it is we are trying to go. We work a stressful sixty hours a week to support a lifestyle that is purposeless and ultimately meaningless. We desire success, but significance escapes us. Deep down, we know that there has to be more than this! Our hope is that we can keep walking long enough to discover what more there is—to at least get somewhere. After all, anywhere must be better than here!

The importance of purpose cannot be overstated. If you aim for nothing you will hit it every time. Purpose is what drives us as people, whether consciously or subconsciously. Purpose subtly dictates every choice, every decision that we make as the driving—and often the steering—force in our lives.

I have had countless conversations with individuals who have no idea how to answer the question of purpose. The most common response I receive is a set of goals they have for their life. Purpose, however, is not the same as a goal. If I state that the purpose of my life is to be successful, I’m confusing my goals with my purpose. Once I achieve my purpose, I should experience contentment and peace. History is laden, however, with examples of individuals who have set out to achieve success, only to reach their goal and discover nothing but empty loneliness. I once came across a list of seven people who were extremely successful by virtually anyone’s standard. These people were famous, adored by many and had collectively earned more than $135 million dollars in 2006 alone. Who were these successful individuals? Kurt Cobain, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Shultz, J.R. Tolkein, James Dean and Aliyah. Success may be your goal, but what is your purpose?

We can set our goals, but our purpose has already been established by God. In the 22nd chapter of Matthew, we read a story about a lawyer who comes to Jesus and tries to stump Him with a very interesting question. He asks Jesus, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law?” Now, we have to understand that this was no simply inquiry. To a Jew, the law was not an irrelevant set of rules that could be adopted on a whim and discarded just as easily. The law was immutable, unchangeable and was seen as God’s primary revelation to man. The law was central to every facet of the Jewish way of life. In other words, this lawyer was asking Jesus to sum up all of life with one statement. No problem, right?

We read in verse 39 that, “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment.’” The infinite and incomprehensible God has reached into the lives of His creation and revealed in the simplest of ways its purpose: Him. Every human being has been created to have a relationship with their Creator. As John Piper puts it, “The human heart is an infinite abyss that can only be filled by an infinite God.” No other pursuit, no goals, nor any other pseudo-purpose in life will bring the contentment that every human being craves. Apart from God, there is no ultimate satisfaction. This begs the question: Are your goals aligned with your purpose?