These reflections, on how we are created for a particular purpose, are based on Ephesians 2:1–10.

‘we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (v10).

We have looked at how God has made us to be new creations, or ‘alive with Christ’. Not only that, we are ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ – we have eternal life now to enjoy and an inheritance with Jesus.

MADE FOR A PURPOSE

The key verse I have pulled out of this passage shows us that we have ready-prepared ‘good works’ to do. Often our sense of self can unhealthily be caught up in what we do – our society seems to like labelling people by their jobs, and, as a result, one of the first questions we ask people when we meet them is what job they have.

While it is wrong to find our identity in our jobs, as it should be found only in God, He fashioned us to enjoy living purposeful lives – and that includes doing His work. It is really important that we remember, as this passage reminds us, that our salvation is a gift of grace – not something we have worked to earn. Since we have been saved, however, God does have a particular purpose for each one of us to undertake. Isn’t that exciting?

WORKING FOR HIM, ALWAYS

I think that we can easily fall into the trap of compartmentalising our lives, and somehow viewing what we do specifically for the church as God’s work, whereas everything else is somehow outside of that remit. However, I firmly believe that God wants to be involved in every single area of our lives.

Being alive with Christ means we have an active relationship with God at all times. We can be doing His good works just as much in the way we conduct ourselves at work or in front of our children – even in our leisure time – and, in fact, that reveals the evidence of God being at work in our lives to those around us.

Prayer: God I am so grateful that You have made me alive in Christ; not only that, but You have created me for a specific purpose. Help me to live that out each day. Amen.