The Purpose of Life
1) Life on Earth: Learning to See Through a Spiritual Lens
When you become a believer in Jesus Christ, your life does not suddenly become free from problems, challenges, emotions, responsibilities, or difficult circumstances. You are still living in the same physical world. However, something within you has changed: you are no longer meant to see life only through a physical lens.
As Christians, we are called to learn how to see our lives spiritually.
This means learning to recognize that there is more happening than what we can see with our physical eyes. Our circumstances, relationships, decisions, struggles, and victories can all have spiritual significance. Following Jesus means learning to ask not only, "What is happening?" but also, "What might God be doing in this?"
Reflection
What is one situation in my life that I have been looking at only through a physical or emotional lens?
How might I begin asking God what He may be doing in that situation?
2) The Holy Spirit Lives Within You
One of the greatest gifts God gives to those who believe in Jesus is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the Old Testament, God's presence was associated with the tabernacle and later the temple. God's people understood the temple as a sacred place where God's presence dwelled among them.
But through Jesus, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical building.
The New Testament teaches that believers themselves become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit:
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
— 1 Corinthians 3:16
This changes the way we understand our lives.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you are not walking through life alone. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. He is God's presence with you, helping you know God, understand His Word, grow in holiness, recognize truth, and become more like Christ.
The Christian life, therefore, is not simply about following a list of rules. It is about developing a relationship with God and learning to walk with the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
How does knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells within you change the way you think about your everyday life?
3) The Holy Spirit Points Us to Jesus
The Holy Spirit's work is not to draw attention away from Jesus. His ministry is centered on glorifying Christ and helping us know Him more deeply.
Jesus said:
"He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
— John 16:14
The more we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, the more we should come to know, love, and desire Jesus.
The Holy Spirit helps us understand who Jesus is, reminds us of His teachings, convicts us when we move away from God's ways, strengthens us when we are weak, and transforms our character over time.
This is why spiritual growth is so important.
With the Holy Spirit, the goal is to know God more deeply and become more like Jesus.
Reflection
Is my relationship with God helping me become more like Jesus?
What is one area where I would like to grow?
4) Learning to See Life Spiritually
It is easy to live entirely through our physical senses.
We see what is happening around us.
We hear what people say.
We experience our circumstances.
We feel our emotions.
We respond to what is immediately in front of us.
But faith teaches us to look beyond what is immediately visible.
Paul writes:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
— 2 Corinthians 5:7
Walking by faith does not mean ignoring reality or pretending that difficult circumstances do not exist. It means recognizing that what we see is not always the complete picture.
A difficult season may look like failure, but God may be developing perseverance.
A closed door may feel like rejection, but God may be redirecting you.
A painful experience may seem meaningless, but God can use it to produce growth, wisdom, compassion, and testimony.
A difficult relationship may become an opportunity to practice forgiveness, boundaries, patience, or love.
Seeing spiritually means learning to bring our circumstances before God instead of allowing our circumstances to determine everything we believe.
Reflection
What would it look like for me to walk by faith instead of allowing my current circumstances to determine what I believe about God?
5) God's Promises to Remember
God promises that His Spirit dwells within His people.
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
— 1 Corinthians 3:16
God promises to be with you.
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
— Matthew 28:20
God promises to guide you.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
— Psalm 32:8
God promises that you do not have to walk alone.
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
— Hebrews 13:5
Closing Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me learn to see my life through a spiritual lens. Help me remember that I am never alone because You dwell within me. Teach me to look beyond what I can physically see and trust that You are working even when I do not understand what is happening. Help me recognize Your guidance, grow in my relationship with You, and become more like Jesus. Give me wisdom when I face difficult circumstances and help me respond with faith instead of fear. Thank You for being present with me every day.
Amen.
