If you have received salvation through faith in Christ, then this verse applies to you, and you need never again wonder if you were created for a purpose. You are God's masterpiece, re-created in Christ, to do good deeds and accomplish great things for God's glory. These acts and achievements were prepared by God in advance, before you were even born. You have a God-given purpose. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are dead wrong. Satan himself will try to convince you that you have no real purpose in life. He may even use other people to do it. But if you fall for that lie, you will live a meaningless, purposeless life. But you don't have to! Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

When Jesus told the Parable of the Talents, He was letting us know that each of us has a special purpose in life, and God expects us to cooperate with Him so that it is fulfilled. (Matthew 25:14-30) All three servants in the parable are given various talents, which represent the individual's gifts and resources. The servants who put their gifts to good use, and were productive, were rewarded by the master. They were given more resources and greater responsibility. But one of the servants was so fearful and self-centered that he buried his talent, and was totally unfruitful for the master. Jesus calls him a "worthless servant." (v. 30)

If you are a child of God, He has blessed you with special gifts that He expects you to use for His glory. If you don't know what they are, ask Him to reveal them to you. Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP) says that we should "live purposefully…making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil."

You have a job to do! There may be people in this world right now who will never receive God's precious gift of salvation unless you take your place in the Body of Christ. It's my heartfelt prayer that you will make a decision today to cooperate with God's plans for your life, and align your will with His. If you do, God's promise in Psalm 138:8 (NIV) belongs to you - "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me"!

Prayer: Lord, today I commit to You all that I am, and all that I have, and I ask that You fulfill Your purpose for my life. Show me what my gifts are, and help me to use them for Your glory. Use me to lead others to You. The next time I doubt that my life has a special purpose, remind me of the truth. Thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose for me, and You will be glorified!