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We can be going along and think that we know how our life will go each day. Then events happen, or disappointments come, or there are surprises. It feels that all the hopes we had in our heart for the kind of life we wanted are shattered. The purpose we had is gone.
But that won’t be the end of what God has for you. You can receive new purpose. The way things were in your life have changed, but you don’t have to exist in shattered hopes. God always comes to give you new purpose. This is true for everything that’s important to you. God can fill your heart again with the greatest of hopes. You can see those come to pass. Just recognize that when the difficult times come, you can have a new purpose come into that area of your life.
There’s a couple who experienced this in a way that is very heartfelt. There is so much in their story to which many people can relate. Their names are Denise and Alan Jackson. He has had great success in country music. He’s the one who wrote the song, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning”—which is a reference to the September 11 attack in America.
His wife, Denise, wrote a book called, “It’s all about HIM.” The “Him” to whom she is referring is the Lord Jesus. You see, she and Alan have experienced some very rough times. She had been raised in church but after she married Alan, she quit going. Their lifestyle was caught up in being celebrities. Then after eighteen years of being married, Alan walked out. At the time, Denise had a new baby and she felt her life was shattered.
It can be so painful when something abrupt happens that seems to take away the purpose we have in an area of our life. But God is always there when we turn to Him to help us receive new purpose. During the time when they were separated, Denise was driven to God. She prayed and said she believed He would take care of her.
God came to her side and helped her during that aching time. Then after a while, she and Alan began to see each other again. She says forgiveness wasn’t easy but her faith showed her the way. After they had begun dating again and finding new purpose in their marriage, they came back together. Their relationship was healthier and stronger. All her hopes came to pass.
But then after years of having a good marriage, another event happened that seem to shattered their hopes. One day after having a routine exam, Denise and Alan went on a trip to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
While they were there, she received a phone call from her doctor that lab results had shown she had a rare form of colorectal cancer. She said to say it was the shock of her life was an understatement. Alan was in disbelief because he had never seen her sick.
They ended their trip right away and rushed home. She went to an oncologist to determine what kind of treatment she would take. Alan was by her side there to reassure her and encourage her. Of course, he was hurting also during this time. He talks about the fear and grief he had thinking of her diagnosis. But he stayed strong and Denise says his strength helped her to manage the fear and chaos she felt.
She held fast to her faith and purposed in her heart that her hopes would come to pass. She would be healed. Two months after this, Denise was given the report that she was now cancer free. That was many years ago. But ever since that day she has had a new purpose to encourage and minister to others.
When events don’t come out the way we had purposed, God will give us a new purpose. He will fulfill that part of our life so we are satisfied and have a sense of joy and peace. We have purpose in what He has for us to receive and accomplish. He shatters what has tried to shatter our life and brings us to a new place in Him. We’re given new hopes in our heart and see those come to pass.
When something has been shattered, we can receive new purpose whether it’s something we did or something done against us. We still can see our hopes come to pass.
All my plans are shattered, all my hopes are snuffed out. I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. [But] nothing and no one can upset Your plans. (Ref. Job 17 and Job 42 MSG.)
A Spiritual Powerline to say out loud:
“GOD IS GIVING ME NEW PURPOSE!”
Lord! I believe something new is happening. Old conditions will pass away and new ones are coming! You are healing what has been shattered and bringing new purpose to that area of my life. I praise You for this. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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