A Life of Purpose – Part 2

In Daily Devotional by Rick Verkerk

Theme of the Week: The Lord Is With You

Bible Verse: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11, James 1:5, 22

Many of us have experienced personal, unplanned events that have changed our lives. But history also shows events that have disrupted people collectively, such as war, famine, and sickness. Currently, the entire world is being affected by a microscopic virus, bringing suffering death, economic upheaval, and daily disruption of our lives. This also brings questions – many questions – and the answers are not always clear or even exist! We are only able to make a “best guess.”

Even in Scripture, we read about this. Having crossed the Red Sea, the Israelites left behind 400 years of routine for a nomadic existence in the desert. Everything changed! They had questions with no clear answers and had to adapt and make a “best guess” every time. Their experience provides another lesson on how to live a life of purpose in times of uncertainty.

Lesson #2 – Build wisdom to take your best guess.

Living a life of purpose can be challenging when we can only take our best guess. But developing disciplines to build our godly wisdom and understanding will refine our skills to make our “best guess” better. Scripture provides plenty of guidance on what these disciplines are (2 Pe 1:5-7) and provides a call to action on how to do this. (James 1:5,22)

Note that in verse 5, Peter begins with “make every effort.” You already have the Lord’s divine power given to you. (1 Peter 2:3) Now you need to start working out in the spiritual gym to train yourself, to possess these disciplines increasingly. (2 Pe 1:8) The qualities listed in verses 5-7 are not tasks to be checked off when completed, either. Instead, they are intertwined as a comprehensive workout package.

Whatever decisions are to be made in times of uncertainty, our best guess should not be just a shot in the dark. Rather, it should be based on godly wisdom and understanding acquired through spiritual discipline, knowing that the Lord is with you on your journey.


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About
Rick Verkerk
Rick Verkerk provides Conference Management Services for Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. Married for more than forty years to Wendy, they have three adult sons, and two beautiful daughters-in-law. He has a passion for seeing every man in Canada develop a relationship with God.
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Rick Verkerk
Rick Verkerk provides Conference Management Services for Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. Married for more than forty years to Wendy, they have three adult sons, and two beautiful daughters-in-law. He has a passion for seeing every man in Canada develop a relationship with God.