What is a Purpose?

Focus Statement

We have many misconceptions about what purpose is.

Finding our purpose is about discovering who God has uniquely created us to be

and how our own gifts can serve others in any given moment.

Point of Relation

Consider a time when your efforts seemed to go unnoticed or undervalued.

Years ago, I led a small group that had dwindled to just a few committed individuals.

Despite my dedication,

I faced scrutiny for seemingly "doing nothing."

It was disheartening, and I felt undervalued.

But over time, those few committed individuals became the core of something much greater.

The group eventually grew significantly,

hosting events that drew large crowds.

This taught me that our contributions,

no matter how small they might seem at first,

can create a ripple effect of change.

It's a reminder that our worth isn't determined by immediate results or others' recognition,

but by our faithfulness to the gifts God has given us.

Things to Consider

Friends, we live in a culture of comparison

where we are taught that to be the best

or to “achieve”

is the primary goal.

This can cause us to underestimate others and even ourselves.

Ultimately, it can impact how we understand our purpose

and what we feel will make our lives meaningful.

We have many misconceptions about purpose:

it must be tied to work or how much money we make;

it’s about finding personal happiness.

We sometimes think it never changes.

It must be big, flashy, and make an enormous impact.

We look at famous people

and measure how well we live into our purpose

by what they did with their lives –

and perhaps we think: “We’ll never be able to do that.”

What Scripture Says

When we talk about purpose,

we're not just referring to a job or a role we play in society.

Purpose goes much deeper than that.

Stephanie Shackelford,

in her book You on Purpose, describes purpose as

"All the special activities that God created you to perform in the world – a fulfillment of God's intention and design for you – which will naturally result in service and benefit of others."

This definition beautifully captures the essence of what we mean by purpose from a faith perspective.

It's about discovering and embracing the unique ways God has equipped us to serve and impact the world around us.

Our purpose is intrinsically tied to who God has created us to be,

and when we live into that purpose,

we naturally become a blessing to others.

First, let’s discuss

Our Unique Role as Salt and Light:

First, we are uniquely created as salt and light.

In the text, Jesus says,

“You are …salt,” and “You are…light.”

These are identity statements.

You were created uniquely with certain gifts.

Finding our purpose is connected to discovering who we are

and what we uniquely offer.

To better understand this connection,

as we explore these familiar yet profound metaphors of "salt" and "light,"

I invite you to consider their deeper significance.

Salt

Salt in Jesus' time was incredibly valuable and had various significant uses.

It preserved food,

enhanced flavor,

played a role in purification rituals,

symbolized lasting covenants,

and represented friendship and loyalty.

These diverse applications enriched the metaphor of believers as "salt of the earth,"

suggesting multiple ways Christians might positively influence the world around them.

Light

In a world where artificial light is readily available,

the biblical metaphor of light can sometimes lose its impact.

However, in Scripture,

light symbolizes much more than physical illumination.

It represents goodness, truth, and the presence of God.

Light reveals what is hidden, guides us, and dispels darkness.

Jesus calls his followers to be the "light of the world,"

meaning we are to reflect God's goodness and truth,

illuminating the path for others

and driving out the darkness of sin and ignorance.

Next, we need to recognize that:

Our Gifts Are Enough

Jesus urges his followers to use their saltiness and not to hide their light.

When Jesus calls us to be salt and light,

he’s reminding us that even small actions can have a profound impact.

Just as a pinch of salt can transform a meal

or a single candle can illuminate a room,

our faith can make a significant difference in the world around us.

These everyday items,

often overlooked,

become essential in Jesus' teaching.

As Henri Nouwen reminds us,

we are "the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes,"

despite the world's messages that may hurt or reject us.

This chosenness isn't about superiority,

but about recognizing our unique place in God's plan

and helping others see their own value.

Finally, we need to realize and accept that

Our Gifts Are Meant to Serve Others:

Just by their very nature, salt and light impact the world around them. ‘

They are change agents.

Jesus says, “So are you.”

Just by the very nature of us being in the world, we change it.

Jesus also tells his followers that salt and light are supposed to be shared,

not hoarded or hidden away or kept for yourself alone.

How salt and light are used is important.

Verse 16 suggests that as we live into our identity as God’s change-agents,

others will benefit from it.

What This Means for You

What are the gifts God has given you?

Reflect on how easy or difficult it is to answer that question.

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Think about what you are good at or what excites you.

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Recall times when you felt valued—what were you doing?

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What brings you joy or makes you feel alive?

What activities make you feel most like yourself?

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Who can you share these gifts with to make a difference?

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Remember, you don’t have to be an expert for your gifts to be meaningful.

Our purpose may change over time, and that’s okay.

As we gather, both in person and online,

let's remember there is no single way to be a Christian.

As Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.”

Embracing our unique selves, we glorify God and serve the world.

What This Means for Us

How do we, as a church, remind each other of our saltiness and light, and give thanks for it?

Pause

How do we help others see what they offer to the kingdom of God?

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By encouraging and recognizing each person's contributions,

we can inspire each other to share our gifts in ways that benefit all of us.

Let's celebrate these contributions,

no matter how small,

and support each other in discovering and sharing our unique gifts.

Together, we can build a community where everyone's gifts are recognized and valued,

making us stronger and better as a whole.

Amen? Amen!

Sermon written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.