Remembering What We Were Made For

Just like many of you, I recently attended an Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of another Lenten season. The message of Ash Wednesday is an important reminder of our identity: that we are mortal beings created out of dust who will return to dust at the end of our natural lives. Even though we realize that God will resurrect the dead in faith to eternal life with him and dust we will not remain, we cannot escape the present reality of the fleeting nature of our lives lived here on earth.
 
The Lenten season draws us into deep reflection as to who we are, whose we are, and what we were made for. As followers of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that our identity is shaped not by our accomplishments, wealth, social status, talents, or even our personality. Our identity is shaped by God: our creator, redeemer, and sanctifier. We belong to He who made us, redeemed us, and guides us in our daily living. But what exactly were we made for?
As Lutheran Christians we are fond of what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” These verses shaped the Reformation and emphasize that good works can never save us. It is God’s grace that rescues us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. It cannot be earned; this ever will only be a free gift of God!
 
Yet we often miss the very next verse. Paul in Ephesians 2:10 continues: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” During these 40 days, I pray that we can remember again what we were created to do in this life we’ve been given to live on this earth. From the time that God breathed life into you until the time that your body returns to the earth, God has created and saved you for a purpose: to do good works!
 
So how is God calling you to steward your time, your gifts and abilities, your relationships, and your finances for the Kingdom? How is God calling you to return to the very basic life orientation of loving God and neighbor? A church member recently suggested that sometimes we forget that God is in charge; that He is Lord, and we are not. As we reflect this Lent on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, the cross, and His sacrifice that saves us, may we also remember what we were made, and saved, for.