Greater Purpose

When things are going smoothly and it all seems effortless, it’s easy to coast to the finish line. When things aren’t going as planned, however, it might be hard to stay motivated to push through it all. But when you compete for God in a rooted identity, you can be confident that you are playing and living for a far greater purpose.

WHAT MATTERS MOST?

Purpose is a big word that can have a lot of meanings depending on the situation. Usually, how you apply that word to different areas of your life is determined by what matters most to you. Are you competing for self or team? For the applause or impact? If you have to wonder about your motivation, always know that you have been called to compete and to live for someone and something greater than yourself.

WHY DO I COMPETE?

It’s a question that all athletes ask themselves at some point in their life: Why do I compete?

Usually, that question comes up when dealing with adversity like injuries, fatigue, individual or team struggles, relationship or family issues or life’s many distractions.

And when you’re not sure, tangible results like personal achievement, team goals, physical benefits and long-term dreams (such as scholarships or career opportunities) tend to be the default motivation.

WHO IS IT ALL FOR?

In John 17, Jesus was a few days away from being crucified, buried in a tomb and raised from the dead. He knew that He had limited time with His followers. That’s why Jesus spent a lot of His remaining time on Earth praying for the disciples and all people who would one day believe and commit their lives to telling the world about Him.

Jesus wanted to make sure they had no question about their greater purpose:

“’They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.’” -John 17:16–18

Jesus also wanted to redefine what success and winning are all about. Life’s greater purpose has much more to do with God and others than it does with you:

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” -Matthew 22:37–39

Part of loving God is giving Him the glory for anything good you do, and part of loving others is to tell them about Jesus and remind them how to live like Christ:

“’Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:19–20

God’s Greater Purpose for you involves:

Greater Glory. There are moments when you receive praise and applause—and that can feel good. But your greater purpose reminds you that the glory goes first and foremost to God—and that’s always the best strategy.

“When he had left, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.’” -John 13:31

Greater Team. You love your teammates and you’d do anything for them. But when you understand your greater purpose, you’ll realize that your team is much bigger than you’ve ever imagined—and God wants that team to experience His love through you!

“’This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.’” -John 15:12-13

Greater Things. Being an athlete has some incredible benefits. It’s amazing what you can accomplish through your gifts and talents. But with God’s greater purpose for your life, you can do greater things than you could ever imagine!

“’Truly I tell you, the one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.’” -John 14:12

Remember: Your purpose is to play for Someone greater.

Take a moment to reflect on the reason we started walking together in the first place—to fulfill the words that John the Baptist spoke when Jesus’ ministry was about to begin:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” –John 3:30

Now take some time on your own to make a list of some greater things you want to do for God in different areas of your life: sport, school, community, church and anywhere else you can think of.

As you begin to understand your greater purpose, God will continue to cultivate and activate inside of you a desire to live out a life like Christ that reflects His heart and inspires those around you to take a step towards knowing God and finding a way to play and compete for someone Greater.