PURPOSE OF PEOPLE

There are no coincidences. People cross our paths for many different reasons. Some that enter our lives are intended to be temporary, which is by design. On the other hand, some are intended to stay permanently. This too, is by design. Some folks are temporary for several different reasons. Some come to distract. Some come to teach. Some come to get us off the course of God’s plan. Some come to redirect and remind us that God’s promises are true. Some come to show us what not to do. Some come to teach us a lesson. Some come to bring knowledge. Some come as faith-builders. Some come to share wisdom. Some come to add the word “test” in our testimony. Then there are those that come to refocus us and prepare us for the next chapter of our lives. Some come so that we can experience pain. Some come to put a smile on our faces. Some come to work our patience. Some come so that we can experience love. Some come with their hand out. Some come to bless us. But, one of the most pleasant reasons is in the form of an Angel bringing with them the peace of God. We must always be reminded of the scripture “Be careful how we entertain someone, because we could be entertaining an Angel”. Hebrews 13:2 reads, “Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” We must be careful not to misinterpret others purposes in our lives. Don’t try to hold on the those that were intended to be temporary. And, don’t dismiss those that are designed to be there permanently. Remember, we have a purpose to fulfill in people’s lives also. We must pray and ask God to show us our purpose as well. How do we distinguish who is in our lives for a season and who is here for a lifetime? We dare not try to determine this essential distinction on our own. It is important that we continue to pray for discernment. We should ask God. He can and will confirm the place that people should hold in our lives. We should rely solely on God for this answer. We should not interject our interpretations or justifications of their reason for crossing our paths. After God has made it plain (without our insertions and justifications) who will and who will not continue with us on our walk, be sure to thank God for the purpose of people in our lives. Remember at the beginning of the passage, it was mentioned that all that enter are by design? Accept the design that God has for our life, it is far better than any design that we can create! Isaiah 14:24 reads, ‘The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.’ Start your “Purpose of People in My Life” list. You can include the temporary ones whose time in your life has already expired. Those experiences (good or bad) are worth noting for future guidance and reference.