Purpose of Human Life: Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck writes: “The purpose of human life is fellowship with God; to live in him is life’s goal. The spiritual life is to live in fellowship with the Triune God—That is, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ, with the Father” (Reformed Ethics 250). As you have probably noticed, one of the books I am reading right now is Bavinck’s Reformed Ethics. Interestingly, I do not identify as Reformed, although I love reading Reformed thinkers (Bavinck, John Frame, Michael Horton, Wayne Grudem, etc.). They are so systematic in their thinking. In some sense, they are “system builders”, beginning with God’s revelation in the Bible and building out from there. I came across the quote above this morning and just sat for a moment with my coffee. The purpose of life: to know God and be known by Him. This is the true fountain.
Exercise: My family and I just paid $40 for a three-month subscription to an exercise app. Wow. It has been wonderful! It is designed so well and is therefore easy for us to follow. Now we are exercising together once per day. Now, there is nothing wrong with someone going to the gym to work out. But in this season, going to the gym is less time with my young kids, and as a husband and father, I am always looking for ways to integrate priorities so that I can “kill two birds with one stone.” Or even three! With this app, I am spending time with my family, teaching my kids the value of caring for the body, and getting in shape. Homerun! The app we are using is called “Workouts by Muscle Booster.” You can find it in the App store.
God’s Guidance: I found this word from Oswald Chambers so helpful yesterday: “At critical moments in our lives it is necessary to ask God for guidance, but it should be unnecessary to be constantly saying, ‘Oh, Lord, direct me in this, and in that.’ Of course He will, and in fact, He is doing it already! If our everyday decisions are not according to His will, He will press through them, bringing restraint to our spirit. Then we must be quiet and wait for the direction of His presence.” You can subscribe to My Utmost For His Highest to receive a daily email in your inbox with that day’s devotional. It is still to this day one of the only devotions I enjoy.
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 