Scripture: Ephesians 6.10, 13
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. — Mark Twain

Reflection: Purpose
By Matt Tullos

Purpose: When the song of our lives synchronizes with the heartbeat of God.

Yesterday evening—Palm Sunday evening.
The road is scattered with green branches quickly turning brown, trampled by a festival of triumph.
The darkness settles in as shadows fall on the city sky.
It seems as if the shouts still echo through its gates.
His feet drenched in alabaster and tears.
He begins his walk toward the torment of a world’s curse.
Mary senses things only a mother could feel.
The week begins.
Jesus weeping alone… No one else was less deserving of Friday. But in a transcendent, eternal sense there was no one else in the history of the universe qualified for Friday.

A deep and unfathomable dichotomy of grace and truth, joy and sorrow, pain and bliss.

Soon, in the final hours of Jesus’ life, he will face the horror of the coming brutality, minutes outside the door of the Roman Governor’s court. Jesus stands before him and says, “I was born for this.” Blessed be the one who rises above the pain to apprehend His purpose.

Jesus shows us how it’s done.

What could possibly be greater than standing for Jesus just as He stood for us? If only men and women viewed their call to suffer as Christ suffered, to live as Christ lived, and to serve as Christ served. If only we would seize the helm of holy opportunity and say these same words, “I was born for this! I have come into the world for this!”

What mission and purpose gives you bliss, contentment and meaning?
How could you embrace your purpose with more passion and desire?

We each have a unique purpose, but also we all have a universal purpose. It is found at the cross and it calls out to us every day we live…

Lay down your life. Put others first. Don’t manipulate people. Swallow the tendency to whine when you aren’t the center of the universe. Give the world and the Jesus family service, second to none. Embrace your divine calling every day. Cling to what God has promised and discard the rest.

This is our purpose. Simple. True. Beautiful.

*From a series Matt Tullos wrote called 39 Words. A few of these posts are available in audio form via Soundcloud. — John

Prayer: A Reading
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant…
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered the promise of mercy… — Luke 1.46-48, 54

– Prayer from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Full prayer available online and in print.

Today’s Readings
Proverbs 13 (Listen – 2:45)
Ephesians 6 (Listen – 3:17)