God's Phroneo for Me

Welcome back to those of you joining me on my journey of purpose.

I’ve been doing a little research on this word, purpose.  I like to know the meaning of words so I know what I’m talking or thinking about. 

According to my old Webster’s dictionary, purpose means “to propose as an aim to oneself; to intend; to resolve.”  My dictionary app says the meaning is “something set up as an object or end to be attained; intention; resolution; a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution.”  So, it sounds like I need to propose something in which to discuss, attain, aim for, and discuss.  So, what is it?

In the Christian world, we hear the word, “calling,” at times to mean our godly purpose.  That word, according to my app, means, “one’s usual occupation, vocation, etc.; a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.”  Okay.  Now, to determine that strong inner impulse so I will know my purpose.

Lately, my usual “calling” has been watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  The past two weeks since returning home from Colorado for my son’s and daughter-in-law’s wedding have been rather challenging for my physical body.  There have been many mornings of fatigue and nausea which means I am doing very little and thinking even less.  None of these are on my to-do list or are helping me discover my purpose.  Even today as I wanted to write, I could not find the piece of paper with a draft for this blog that God allowed me to jot down a few days ago.  For an organized person, the search was exasperating.  How can one piece of paper just hide? 

Having this sometimes-debilitating health issue is not the purpose I desire.  Yet, here I am.  I have always been the care-giver, never the care-needer.  (Is that a word?  Yes, it is according to my dictionary.)  Is this my purpose or calling?  It seems to be. 

(As I look for my notes on the words for “purpose” in the Bible, I just found my draft.  Hallelujah.)

One of the words for purpose in the Bible is “phroneo.”  This Greek word means “to have understanding, be wise; to feel, think; and to direct one’s mind to a thing.”

God tells us to set our minds on the things of God and of the Spirit, not on things of man. 

Romans 8:5-- For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on (phroneo) the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 15:5-6-- Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind (phroneo) with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:11-- Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded (phroneo), live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Colossians 3:2-- Set your minds on (phroneo) the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

God is always teaching us; we need to listen and learn. My current purpose seems to be learning how to have purpose during my health issues and aging.  I have taken good health for granted for quite some time.  My unstable health is frustrating.  It is difficult to keep any plans I have made.  This past week, I was unable to help where I had volunteered.  I spent the hours at church and Bible study wishing for them to be over soon.

I want to find purpose in my very small amount of suffering.  How can God use this for His purpose?  To learn this, I need to know His purpose. 

Throughout the Bible, we see that He wants people to be saved and to be sanctified.  This includes me…and you. 

 First, we must be saved.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”
John 3:16-17

From the moment of our salvation, God wants to sanctify each one of us while we live one earth.  This slower time of my life still needs sanctification for and from the Lord.  What I must do is persevere through my trial in order to mature like the Lord wishes.   

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”
1 Peter 1:5-7

I am also to proclaim His excellencies.

“But you are a chosen people, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  1 Peter 2:9

The Bible tells me to keep my behavior excellent so that others around me glorify God.

“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:12

 I don’t have any world-changing discoveries, any cure for cancer, or any mind-boggling revelation.  All I have to offer myself and to offer you is what God says:  to set our minds on Him, to persevere through the difficult moments (whatever those are for you), to receive His comfort (He loves you), to keep your behavior excellent, and to proclaim His excellencies.  We all have a voice and an audience.  Let’s use those for His glory and His purpose.