We Need a Purpose

"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" (Romans 8:28 NIV).

One week ago we took a trailer load of ewes to Minnesota to begin the breeding process. Our guard dog Bella wasn't happy. We took away her sheep, her job. She has been barking more this week and for no visible reason - no rabbits, deer, or people. But also no sheep. She chooses to lay outside the sheep barn when it is shady there or she comes up to the house and lays under the bushes along the foundation of our house. It is cool there. She is lost without her sheep.

We can get lost also when we don't have a purpose in our life. Sometimes, like in retirement, we lose our purpose and have to seek another one to replace it. God has given each of us a purpose for our life. Sometimes we have to pause and determine what that purpose is.

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV).

Bella's sheep will return to her keeping in another week. She will be happy to fulfill her purpose in life once again. As for you and me, we need to keep searching until we find the answer God gives us.