THREE SIGNIFICANT WORDS by Arlo A. Johnson, Westside Family Fellowship

As one gives consideration to their individual life upon earth, I believe that there are three words of great significance.

Purpose

The first of these words is the word, purpose! The significance of the word, purpose, has certainly been brought to the attention of North Americans through Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. Of course, as one might know, the book was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. From a Christian perspective, the word, purpose has been in the heart of most all believers of all time through the words of Romans 8:28 NIV, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Preparation

The second of these words is the word, preparation! As an individual begins to become aware of the possible purpose of their life upon earth, they commence to participate in the preparations necessary to fulfill that purpose. Those preparations include many details too numerous to itemize here. However, let me state three of those preparations. First, there is the preparation that takes place through those growing up years in their family. This preparation brought to each life in the family is very foundational. As the child begins participation in the educational process, there is a continued development in maturity. Paralleling that is a third preparations by those first jobs performed by the child/youth. Such jobs might be as basic as the home delivery of the newspaper!

Preservation

But the purpose and the preparations for that purpose go for naught without the third word of significance. That word is preservation! One’s life must be preserved if one is to fulfill the purpose for which they are being prepared. Presently, I am reading a Young Reader’s book on Abraham Lincoln written by Sam Wellman and published by Barbour Publishing Company. Two particular incidents are highlighted in the book, and both incidents have to do with the fact that the life of Abraham Lincoln was preserved from death. The first, and only incident that I have space to mention was Abraham Lincoln’s near death experience as a young boy when he fell into the swift flowing waters of Knob Creek near his childhood home in Kentucky. But at the very last moment, he was able to grab hold of a low hanging branch, and his friend, Austin was able to pull him to safety. Since his life was preserved from death he was prepared to fulfill his purpose in bringing emancipation to those in slavery, and ultimately unite a divided America, so that it could become the United States of America!

QUESTIONS?

1. Purpose?

2. Preparation?

3. Preservation?

How does all of this apply to your life? Since you are reading about these three significant words, your life has been preserved from death to this moment! Are you submitting yourself to the preparations of life by the circumstances in which you find yourself? Are you allowing yourself to be propelled toward God’s purpose for your life?