What Is Your God-given Mandate?

What is your purpose of being in this world? For what purpose did you think God create you? Do you think you came into this world by mere chance? The simple Catholic Catechism states that God created us to love him and serve him…. That is true. But there is more to it. All of us have specific brief from the divine on the role we are to play while on earth.  Believe it or not, we are not here merely to live each day as it comes, enjoying ourselves and waiting for the day we would be called home. In one way or the other, we are all called to live purpose-driven lives by adding value to all of creation.

Everything that God created is for a purpose. Nothing is an error. Indeed, the Bible clearly makes it clear that God knows every detail about us, including the number of hair on our head. Luke 12, 17 states: “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. We should to appreciate Him always because we do not deserve the things He has generously given us.  “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers … what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). Before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs, He had already moulded us into what He wants us to become. The physical manifestation of our persons has already been concluded in the spiritual realm. And just like everything that He created, after God has made man, He saw that what He had made was good.

God is not a waster. He does not spend His time in unproductive activities. He is a focused God, Who takes time to plan His activities. That is why whenever He plans to do anything; He puts in His best to ensure that the outcome is successful. His plan for man is very clearly stated in Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Yes, God does care about you and me. He wants us to live a fulfilled life. No matter what our country may be passing through now; no matter your family challenges; no matter the ills people say about you, it is not over yet for you. You have a divine mandate to achieve and you shall surely make it if you trust in God.

Perhaps your hearts are filled with doubts. Pause for a while and take a stroll across the countryside. Take a look at the firmament on high, the birds in the sky, the green lawns, the leafy trees, the mountains, hills and valleys; the rain, the snow, the sun and moon. How does all this strike you? Do they not point out to the fact that a well-organised and purpose-driven mind is in action? Do they not speak volume of a super natural intellect in motion?

The book of Genesis clearly tells us that after God has made man, He told him to take full control of all other things created. In other words, He wants us to subdue the world, to bring the other creatures and elements under our direct control. Remember the mandate given to the disciples by Jesus before His ascension into heaven. He said ‘Go ye into the world and preach the gospel.’ Just as He gave this evangelical directive to all of humanity, each of us also has individual mandates to fulfill. What is your own mandate in life?
Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos