Left Here for What Purpose?

“I could be traveling with Paul but instead I am island-bound – stuck on Crete. But while I’m here, I might as well make the best of the situation. I am sure I can find things to do. This is a spectacular little island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Greece. It has some awesome mountains – so I’ll be able to do some mountain climbing. I would love to be able to climb the tallest peak – Mt.Pachnes (2.453m). The beaches here are incredible so that will help to pass the time. Maybe, I’ll just do some mixed farming – who knows? Once I get the ‘lay of the land’ I might be able to get a little business of my own going and see it take off.”

There is no indication that Titus ever entertained such thoughts during his time on the Island of Crete. But he may have been second guessing his purpose for being stuck on an island. “Why am I left here? For what purpose?”

The Apostle Paul wrote Titus a letter to clarify why he left him on Crete. Guess what? There was actually a spiritual responsibility Titus was expected to carry out. He wasn’t left there to be a tourist, or a loafer or a businessman. Sure he may have taken an afternoon dip in the Mediterranean and he may have climbed a mountain to enjoy the incredible view and perhaps he found a way to earn a few extra dollars to offset his expenses. But Paul made sure Titus knew what his primary purpose was in being left on Crete.

“To Titus, my own child according to the faith common to us:
Grace and peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Saviour.
For this cause I left thee in Crete,
that thou mightest go on to set right what remained unordered …”
(Titus 1:4-5 JND)

Titus was left there for spiritual reasons. He had a work to do and spiritual responsibilities to fulfill during his stay. He was to make sure there were godly elders in place in each local church on the island. He was to instruct the believers there on what constitutes godly living as distinct from the world. Christians are to live well-ordered lives – good lives. Paul used the word ‘good’ repeatedly throughout his short letter to Titus. Good men. Good works – several times. Good things. Good. Good fidelity.

Now you know why Titus was left on the Island of Crete – but on a more personal note, do you know why God left you here on the Planet? If He loved you so much that He saved you, why didn’t He whisk you off to Heaven the moment He rescued you from your sins? Why didn’t He airlift you to Glory that moment? There must have been a reason He left you here.

Was it primarily so you could immerse yourself in business and pursue secular goals and enjoy your hobbies and have a bit of fun? Or did He leave you here for a bigger purpose?

I suspect the Lord intends us to only use our jobs as a ‘means’ to accomplish the ‘end’ He has in mind for us. He left us here to be a ‘light’ in the dark world. He left us here to serve Him while others serve themselves and their own selfish ambitions. He left us here to surrender and yield our time, talents and treasures to Him while the ‘unredeemed’ stubbornly refuse to surrender. He left us here to glorify Himself – not ourselves. He left us here to fulfill our spiritual responsibilities He has given to us.

He left you on Planet Earth to accomplish a spiritual purpose. Did you think about that purpose today? Do you have His goal before you or your own goal?

Fill in the blank: The ‘cause’ for which He left me on the Planet is: _______________.  How can you live a fullfilling and meaningful life if you can not be specific about your purpose?

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com