Maybe more than, Just a Thought, in regard to Pastor Scott’s Sunday Service Message of January 25, 2026. The message is on the New Life Baptist Church YouTube channel (newlifegreencastle.com).
It was inspiring, to the point, and again another call to action concerning one of our church’s stated objectives. That is namely the last mentioned of serve, or service (Worship - Grow - Serve).
We all are searching for our purpose in life. For both believers and non-believers, we’ve heard a thousand times how we have a purpose and how we will never be content or happy until we find and live our purpose. For non-believers, they have a variety of ways they are told will help them find it.
But for believers, our path is narrow. The answers are in the Word. They are always there. It was my opinion, finding our purpose could be the hardest thing in life to accomplish. I won’t expound on all the reasons why, but the struggle is real, burdensome, exhausting, depressing, tiresome, and true joy.
I am convinced that God desires me to discover my purpose and He will direct me to that end. God directs through the studying the Word and through service. That will require faith, service, and patience. Are you prepared for that?
Illustration: Your dream is playing in the major leagues. You are a new rookie straight out of high school. Heck, I’ll give it to you that you might have even been really good there. You had some skill and you are now surprised you were not immediately recruited to play in the Big Leagues. Instead, you were asked to work it out with a not so well known minor league team. You are appalled and offended! Isn’t this normal in our current society! Isn’t this us? We believe in short cuts and immediacy. And if we don’t get it we are offended and depressed and go sulk in our safe spaces. Serving on God’s narrow path is about being a vessel God can use as He sees fit, not about what you think is best.
Application: The Bible is full of instruction on how we should live out our lives. It is full of callings and commandments. This is not a comprehensive list but a good place to begin to find your purpose on the narrow path.
Call to freedom - Galatians 5:1
Call to discipleship - Luke 9:59
Call to sonship - Ephesians 1:5
Call to be holy living - 1 Peter 1:15
Call to love your neighbor and make peace - Matthew - 5:9
Call to accept, and expect disadvantages and suffering - Luke 9:23
May we not forget our calling to widows and orphans, caring the poor and vulnerable, sharing the gospel, working diligently in one's vocation, and living with integrity.
My personal challenge is, you will never discover your purpose for worship and growth without serving. How are you serving?
Todd Branson