Raised to a Purpose

Moving day has been set and I am surrounded by boxes in various stages of fulfillment. A dumpster is in my driveway, my car trunk is packed with books to be delivered to friends, we’ve been navigating the town with a borrowed pickup, and I carry measuring tape with me in my hoodie pocket. When we finally leave this home to downsize to a smaller, empty nest-suitable abode, we’ll have emptied it of all except memories. Where we’re headed will also be completely vacated, but that hasn’t been our family’s experience in the past.

Twice now our family has moved into a home that, although it was vacated by the previous owners, it remained full of their stuff. ​​For various reasons, they left behind the accumulation of their lives. In some ways, it was helpful: bunk beds for a quickly growing family, furniture to give away to the newlyweds from church, extra kitchenware that made my cooking toolkit look like my grandmother’s. It has also proven to be a challenge. In our first home, it took us 7 years to finally process every item that had been discarded. The family had lived there for 50 years, and their stuff included clothing from the 70s, WW2 memorabilia from the 90-year-old husband’s time of service, and a pantry full of outdated, canned food.

In both locations, it was always an adventure to explore the garage. Not surprisingly, we found garden supplies and heavy tools, unused containers of weedkiller, old tires, tins of loose nails, wingnuts, screws. But eventually we’d find the treasure trove: the odd drawer or cabinet full of odder things with seemingly little relevance to one another. Usually, we didn’t recognize one or more items, nor could we identify what they were used for, and so we played The Garage Archaeologist. What fun it was to imagine! Maybe they were ancient keys to hidden passageways. Perhaps it was loot captured in pirate raids. What if they were used to communicate with aliens from faraway planets?!

In time, we put away the implements or gadgets or devices; just like in time all of our things become obsolete, unnecessary, unfashionable. They get put away, or simply never get picked back up again as demand and desire pass them by. Rust or mold or worms complete the ruination. Such are the things of this world. At one time, those items were held in human hands and were utilized to fulfill a purpose. Now they are without purpose . . . and consequently worthless. So goes kingdoms, empires, even, perhaps, great democratic experiences — and drawers full of someone else’s stuff.

Corruption taints everything that finds its identity in man, because man begins in corruption. In sin and into sin we are born. Ruination is ours from the moment we take our first breath. Any purpose we might fulfill for the sake of our Creator is hidden behind the rust and mold of our illicit lives.

Unless, that is, the power of a life lived purely and righteously before the law reverses the deterioration of time. Christ’s obedience halts the decay of corruption, and his death cancels the ravages of wrathful punishment, and his resurrection breathes life eternal into this new heart of mine. My purpose is hidden in the One who has rescued me from the forgotten wasteland of unused, unfashionable, unnecessary stuff. In him I live and move and have my being. My chief end is to glorify him and enjoy him forever.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

My Worth Is Not in What I Own

​My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

Refrain:
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross (Refrain)

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed – my ransom paid
At the cross (Refrain)

By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick © 2014 Getty Music Publishing and Make Way Music (admin by MusicServices.org)
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Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash