Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in thee. – St. Augustine

Reading through the 3rd chapter of Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God, we are challenged to think through the reason for existence.  It’s a foundational concept. “Why we are here” gives us perspective and clarity on how we should view this world and the lives we live in this world. Tozer defers to Augustine (and consequently the Westminster Divines) citing that our purpose for existence is wrapped up in our being created for God, that he might receive glory. He emphasizes this conviction further when he writes:

This is the only explanation that satisfies the heart of a thinking man, whatever his wild reason may say.

The essence of what Augustine & Tozer seem to be stressing is that we were made for relationship with the Divine One.  That was and is our purpose.  There are quite a few ways this can be worked out in our lives, but ultimately this must be the driving force behind all that we are and do. So the question is: is it?

Here’s a confession for you: I don’t often think about my ultimate purpose; I’m much more likely to dwell on the immediate choices and decisions and “mini-purposes” I have floating around in my head.  I think about my goals a lot – strengthening my marriage, raising a family, going on a cruise, getting an iPod Touch, finishing grad school… the list goes on.  But it’s almost as if these goals have risen to the top and there is nothing above them.  They have become their own “ultimate” purpose. 

In their own right, none of these goals is “wrong” or inappropriate. Yet, when they serve no greater purpose (pursuing a relationship with the Divine One) then they have become nothing more than idols.  In light of this, I have to admit, often my thought process does not reflect a true understanding of the purpose for my existence, because I don’t want to face up to the possibility of idolatry in my heart.

Augustine said that his heart was restless till it found rest in God.  My heart is restless, but without understanding my purpose I look for rest in achieving a great many personal goals, when there is only one true goal that can bring rest. If you’re like me, this week, think through how “the goals you have” lead to and compliment the purpose for existence. If they don’t, cut ‘em loose. If they can, make sure they do.  I’ll be trying to do the same.