“The Wisdom of Understanding Purpose – Part 2”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” – John 12:24

Many times when we go through trials, we spend a lot of time complaining and crying out feeling forsaken because we do not understand the reasons for the trials. It is our lack of understanding that makes the furnace feel unbearable, or the pain seems unnecessary.

Jesus understood that He had to die for there to be more like Him. He had to sacrifice Himself in order for more grain to be produced to continue what He began. Many of us still refuse to die of ourselves in order for God to use us for a great harvest. It is in our understanding of purpose that we begin to appreciate the furnace we go through to prepare us for greater works that glorify God.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” – John 12:27

When an athlete understands his purpose, he voluntarily sacrifices himself, his time, his pleasures to put his mind and body through the pain of training for the prize. He does not murmur because he understands the purpose of what he is putting himself through. We also need to first understand purpose, so that when God puts us through the fire to prepare us for glory; we persevere and spend less time struggling to come to terms with the purpose of the furnace. When Israel failed to understand the purpose of the wilderness; their stay in the wilderness was extended further.

“Understanding our purpose prepares us for the trials and tribulations that await us in preparation for its fulfillment”