Verses on Purpose: Acts 13:36
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.”
“Verses on purpose” teach biblical principles concerning your unique purpose. Some focus on you; others, like Acts 16:36, forces you to look beyond yourself.
Your life story is part of God’s Larger Story. Your story began at birth. Everything about you is part of God’s plan to prepare you for your calling. His first priority was to lead you to salvation. Then his priority shifted to equipping you to serve others. Look back on your life – your family, education, life experiences, etc. Everything points towards God’s purpose for your life.
But there’s another story beyond your own. God’s Larger Story has unfolded since before time began and will continue on after it ends. It’s the ultimate Love Story between Creator and created. God created us to enjoy His Presence forever, but sin changed everything. Our fellowship with Him was broken. God’s Larger Story is the epic tale of His work in restoring that relationship. It unfolds generation by generation culminating in the Second Coming of Christ. At that moment God and man will be together again forevermore.
Each generation plays a role in this Story. David’s generation was to unite all of Israel under one king and establish the royal line of the Messiah. David completed God’s purpose and died.
What is God’s purpose in our own generation? And what role do you play in God’s Larger Story? I’ll let you ponder those questions yourself.
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
