Living With Purpose
Adam bit the apple and feeling great shame, covered himself with a fig leaf. Eve, too, felt shame and covered herself with a fig leaf. Then she went behind the bush to try on a maple leaf, a sycamore, and then an oak!
While this humorous story from the beginning of humanity reveals a half-truth, there is no falsehood in the fact that I consider it a privilege to begin this weekly column. I am happy to be associated with such a needed source of information related to our little corner of the world…North Santa Rosa.
When Lori Brabham told me about her plans for this website, she described it with vision and excitement. She wanted it to be a hub of information emphasizing the positive aspects of our communities and promote the good that happens along our highways and byways. I must admit, to me at least, it seemed like a daunting challenge to find enough material to support an “ongoing” dissemination of current and relevant information. Especially from places as small as Jay, Munson, Allentown, and Chumuckla. However, as you well know and as I have discovered, Lori and Susan are doing a fine job, and admirable job of reporting things that are important to our lives here in Northern Santa Rosa. In fact, why should I have doubted? There are wonderful things happening in our lives every day.
With that being said, I want you to know that my goal for this column is to offer helpful insights about Christian living, spiritual journeys, and the power of positive thinking. I will be writing from a simple philosophy of life that includes the teachings of Christ and the everyday experiences of living.
Life is good, life is hard, life can be unfair. But thanks be to God, life is full of joy, hope, and victory. The subjects of this column are intended to promote positive living in a world that is chaotic and often times down-right discouraging.
We must all come to realize that success and victory in this life can come to anyone who enthusiastically believes there is purpose in living. Our best success and our future hope depends on whether we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord. In the beginning Adam and Eve made a mistake and tried to cover it up and make excuses. We all fall, we fail and come short of God’s will for our lives at times (Roman 3:23). But if we admit these things, acknowledge our dependence on God, we can be given a new start. What a wonderful prospect! Choose this day in whom you will follow, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Until next time, find a church, faithfully attend, and follow God in all your ways.
- This weekly column is written by Matthew Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, University of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida. Matthew can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts and questions concerning faith, belief, and Christian living.
