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Our Purpose

One of the most popular books ever written for the Christian community is The Purpose Driven Life, by Pastor Rick Warren. Simply stated, the commercial success the book and all of its subsequent spin-off products have experienced is nothing short of phenomenal. Literally thousands of Christian churches in America, across widely varying denominational boundaries, have organized group studies to proceed through the "40 Days of Purpose," as described in The Purpose Driven Life.

Although the commercial success of such a project can be analyzed, the actual results will not be known until we reach eternity. Of the millions of people who were impacted by their "Purpose Driven" experience, how many times was the direction of a life changed for good? How many times did a Christian change after being convicted that they were not impacting the world for Christ? How many times did a believer finally begin to see the unique plan that God has for their life and begin striving to walk in His will? The eternal difference made in countless lives brought closer to God is beyond our understanding in this life. However, there will come a day when we will see the results.

My question today is to the members of the southern gospel family. From songwriters, to artists, to promoters, to industry members, the question is the same. What is your purpose? If you can readily answer that question, let me ask you one more. How often can someone else see your purpose, simply from observing your actions and attitudes? I don't know about you, but those questions certainly make me stop and think.

The guys in our group would readily tell you that our purpose is to encourage the church and to point the lost to Christ using gospel music. If I am being perfectly honest however, there are many times it feels as if my days are more consumed by "the trappings" of running a gospel quartet. From talking with others in our southern gospel family, it seems that this "catch-22" is not uncommon.

The commitment and hard work required to keep a group on the road today is something understood by very few who do not already do it themselves. No matter how diligently we might work, there is always more to do. It is not out of the ordinary to have one day spent doing office paperwork, booking concerts, performing bus maintenance, updating the website, and performing on stage. It is a lifestyle that few would want to emulate, and still less able to maintain for an extended time.

In the midst of this busyness, we can lose our "purpose focus" and instead begin to compare ourselves to others around us. When our thoughts, actions and attitudes begin leading us down the slippery slope of comparison and envy, problems quickly begin to loom. Our questions become things like who has the highest flat? Who sells the most product? Who has the best radio chart position? Who has the nicest bus?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I believe our southern gospel family is filled with wrong-hearted people. God is using many of our people in powerful ways. There are plenty of instances where we see the blessings of God being poured out upon folks. There are other situations in which days are difficult and filled with uncertainty. The challenge for us all is to maintain our heart and our purpose, "come what may."

I am committed to being genuine in my love for God and my daily walk with Him. I also am committed to be true to my family and continue the legacy of faith, hope and love with which I have been entrusted. These commitments come first in my life. My next commitment then turns to the privilege I have to be used in this ministry. I want to genuinely love and care for the people to whom we are blessed to sing.

I don't want to get to Heaven and find out that I've given my life for a higher flat, more product sales or higher charting songs and nothing more. If my rewards were all received in this life, then I have failed. I pray that on that day I will not be ashamed of the way I lived my life when God shows me the eternal results.

God has a purpose for me and God has a purpose for you. He has gifted each of us with exactly what we need and put us in the right place and time to accomplish that purpose. He has done His part. The question now is to us. Will we do our part?

What is your purpose? Can others see your purpose through your actions and attitudes?

Father, help us to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to You and bless our efforts to use this wonderful music to accomplish Your purpose we pray in the name of Christ, Amen.

Until next time,

Stacey Murphy
Journeymen Quartet
http://www.journeymenquartet.com

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