All spiritual people might align with some religion. But, all religious people do not necessarily turn out to be spiritual. While, the above lines seem to contradict each other at the surface level, a profound meditation will reveal otherwise.
It is convenient to attend Sunday service amidst sufficient health, wealth, prospects and bliss of a perfect family. It is honourable to lead a worship session in the church or prayer group. While this could be some of the defining acts of being a Christian, this doesn’t require spirituality.
Most religious people follow God with one intention, that is to receive his blessings. The one question that drives them to be religious is, “What can God do for me?” and “How can God improve the quality of my life?”. But, the true story begins the moment the question shifts into, “What can I do for God?”, “How can I fulfill God’s intended purpose in my life?”.
The purpose of man begins and ends with God. He chooses people who can choose him against the odds. The people who have found their purpose with God need not be religious ones but spiritual ones. God’s chosen people throughout history have exhibited certain qualities. They are courage, quest for justice, faith and a vision for a better world.
In this article, let’s navigate the path of purpose and committing to the glory of God through the lives of David, Joseph and Ruth.
The Battle Of Faith
“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” – 1 Samuel 17:46 (KJV)
We all know the story of David vs Goliath. As inspiring as it might sound, what David went through was more than a path of humiliation and desperation. David being the last child of his household, was left to tend the sheep and serve errands for his brothers. His brothers scolded him for just expressing curiosity about the commotion regarding Goliath. But, David realised his God intended purpose. Despite being a young boy, David stood before the King himself and risked his life to fight against Goliath with only a few stones and an enormous amount of faith in God.
He didn’t choose to fight against Goliath to establish his valour but to let everyone know the might of the living God, the God of Israel. He didn’t even have to use all of his stones. The first stone of faith was strong enough to take down the gigantic enemy. There were many kings before David who believed in God but none of them was as consistent as David. Moreover, David spent all his life ensuring that the name of the God lives on forever in his land. Through Psalms and writings he has immortalized his devotion for God, thereby fulfilling his purpose.
Survival Of A Visionary : “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” – Genesis 45:5 (KJV)
Joseph being the youngest of Jacob’s children had every excuse to be a carefree and jubilant child. But, he chose to be vigilant about the livestock of his father and had great visions at such a young age. While this annoyed his brothers and even Jacob once, Joseph believed that he was made for more.
Life tested Joseph in the worst way possible and he never gave up on God. Instead, he leaned on to God and trusted that his life is not going to be in vain. Thrown in the pit, sold by his brothers, tempted by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph had one hope that is God, and one purpose that is to serve God. While the Egyptians belonged to another religion, Joseph held on to God regardless of prison or palace. God used Joseph to prepare the land for the great famine and save his family, the remnant of Israelite as well.
Joseph was aware of God’s divine plan when his brothers returned. That’s why Joseph asked them not to be driven by guilt or remorse as everything has worked according to God’s divine purpose in his life.
The Strength Beneath The Surrender : “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” – Ruth 1:16 (KJV)
It’s almost paradoxical for a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law to get along in most cultural setups. But, that’s not the case with Ruth. After her husband has died, she chose to follow Naomi who has also been widowed. This is a pivotal point in Ruth’s life of choosing purpose over free will. She surrendered herself to Naomi and through that proclaimed her faith for God. Ruth worked hard in the fields to look after Naomi. Little did she realise, that the field of work was already the reward for her surrender and her purpose will begin by surrendering once again. The entry of Boaz into Ruth’s life and the proceedings afterwards are nothing short of a dramatic narrative of a modern day romance. By following Naomi’s advice, Ruth surrenders again placing her trust in God and yes, her name’s forever etched in the Bible for doing the right thing for the right person at the right time.
Ruth could have left Naomi as soon as her husband died and went on living her life. But, she stood by her mother-in-law who was old and helpless. She decided to take care of her when she wasn’t obliged to anymore. That selfless surrender opened the door of purpose in her life. Through serving Naomi, Ruth arrived at a place she was meant to be.
David, Joseph and Ruth —- all of them have suffered and gone through terrible phases of life. Their story changed when they started realising their purpose. David didn’t just defeat Goliath. Joseph didn’t just save his family from famine. Ruth didn’t just marry Boaz. The decisions they took and the choices they made are based on their trust in God. That’s the reason the three of them hold a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ, an honor that is timeless.
Like I started this article, I reinstate that being a definitive Christian is effortless by following certain activities. But, to imbibe the teachings of Christ, living a life doing good and loving more, fighting against political injustice and being the voice for the voiceless is what the spirit of Christianity is all about.
No matter where you stand in life, God will still choose you. The question is, will you?
-Shiney Miracula.E
