Life Chapters - Purpose in your Heart
It is an exciting time as many are graduating from college or high school. Graduates are closing old chapters and opening pages to the new chapters of their lives. Along with this comes new decisions, some small and others that will be life-changing. Is it just me, or do you ever look at others' life events and reflect on where you are or where you are going?
Today, my pastor reminded me that decisions happen in all our lives and that when making decisions, we need to be "purposed" in our hearts. I hear you! "Purposed in our hearts? Really? Come on, we make decisions every day; what's the big deal?" In his message, he took us to Daniel 1:8. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." Daniel was unwilling to compromise; he set into place; he stood for God in all things big and small. Decisions he made were made trusting that God had his back.
Daniel and these young men were offered the best of the best; a king's portion. This made me think how easy it would have been for Daniel and his friends to just partake in the king's meal. Imagine standing before the king's table with tasty delicacies and unending vessels of wine spread before you. All for you, as much as you want. Everyone else is partaking, and it is such a small thing. Sounds familiar with our world today? I think of the bombardment of opportunities to have the best of the best or just fit in if we would only do this or that. It's easy to say, "It's a small thing, and the Bible doesn't specifically say not to do it."
Now hear me out! I am not saying that having the best of the best or being liked is wrong. No, no! Quite the contrary! In the book of Matthew, Jesus himself tells us that our Father in heaven gives good things to those that ask Him. "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:9-11.
I have to wonder what Daniel and his friend would have missed if they had gone along with everyone else. I am almost sure we would not have seen the following lines in the passage. "Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." Daniel 1:9. As you continue to read the book of Daniel, you see the countless blessings that were bestowed on him because of his purposed heart.
Today it is easy to get caught up in trends and the constant changes in the world around us. After all, it's only a little thing, and the Bible does not explicitly say not to do it or that you can't have it. I think of more than just a flippant decision when I reflect on being purposed in our hearts. It's a determination, a resolve to set in place, to always "...whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31. Even in the little choices.