Our Message From the President

A Message From The President

Respond To Purpose

God did not make us for time, but for eternity. He chose to work through His people to accomplish His purposes in the world. God works mightily when we respond to Him.

God is the creator of all and through His Son Jesus provides for us a deep sense of purpose through relationship—not religion. The knowledge that God’s choice to call people into such a personal relationship with Himself is that “He chose us in Him [Christ] before the creation of the world” {Eph. 1:4 NIV}. He knew about each of us before we were formed in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). We have not been chosen to be unkind, arrogant, self-righteous or judgmental. We have been chosen to serve. We have been set apart to fulfill purpose.

What is your purpose in life? What is your passion? What do you desire? In his book, The Way of The Bootstrapper Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dream, the focused pastor and former U.S. Congressman, Floyd H. Flake declares in Action Step 2: Claim What’s Yours. Dr. Flake proclaims, “Desire is not just a hope or a wish. It is not an idle fantasy or a distant dream. Desire is an unfulfilled hunger that has the power to get you up and moving. When you don’t feed this hunger, you starve your dreams and aspirations to death. If desire is ignored it becomes like a match soaked in water,” concluded Flake.

When you involve yourself with God expect adjustments. Don’t be surprised when unexpected things happen. Adjustment promotes change. Change is good. Rev. Dr. Barbara Austin Lucas, an African-American scholar whom I respect preached a message a few years ago entitled I Need A Change. I Need A Change focused on the prayer of Jabez and how he desired to be different. Jackie “Moms” Mabley once said, “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” Moms Mabley’s affirmation may have been grammatically incorrect but I understand where she is coming from. Imagine doing something different than what you are doing now. Don’t think about all the reasons you can’t—just imagine. Now, seek God’s guidance and fulfill purpose. You know what you have longed to accomplish or become, don’t you? Do whatever you need to do to become that person God has destined you to be. Seek God’s plans for your life and pursue the path He has ordained for you. Pray for wisdom. I don’t care how old you are—it is never too late to change. Go back to school. Take a vacation. Learn a new language. Buy a new dress or suit. Write a book. Take a different route home. Change. My late mother, Mary Bailey Ward often said, “It’s a mighty bad wind that doesn’t change sometime.” She was right.

God takes the initiative to discipline His children for eternity. When you respond to God’s plan for your life—you will be satisfied. Remember, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6 NIV). God is actively at work in your life. Respond today.