Captive

My son asked me if God has a purpose for him. I answered, “Absolutely!” He said that he didn’t know what it was. I told him not yet, but that he would eventually. I reminded him that God has prepared good works for all of us long before we were born. My son has a purpose, I have a purpose and so do you. The way I see it is we walk in obedience to God, then we walk in His grace and then into His purpose. It takes time, but it is to be discovered. Meanwhile we have to be aware of the internal and external threats to our walk. First, Satan would love for us to stumble. Secondly, our own negative thoughts can trip us up. Wholeheartedly we should want to fulfill God’s plan for our life. Therefore we will have to continually take our thoughts captive.

Jesus knew his purpose. There was no doubt on what he needed to do. God’s plan was perfect. So, of course Satan wanted to distract Jesus from fulfilling it. He tempted Him with multiple offers in the desert. He also influenced Peter to deter Jesus from the plan. Poor Peter. He loved Jesus and simply didn’t want Him to go to the cross. But turning to Peter, Jesus said; “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23)

That is our limitation as well. We don’t look at our life from the mind of God, but from our own human position. We can’t see how important the purposes that we are created for are to the world. Like a big puzzle we are a piece of God’s design. We must be on guard against the teaching and enticements of this world, the influence of Satan and our own naivety to fall for both. You were created by God for the purposes of God. Stay strong. And above all read the Word of God to recognize when you need to take your thoughts captive.