July 4 | Psalm 138:8

Terry Gustafson
Jul 4
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Ultimate Purpose

By Terry Gustafson

I always find it interesting how individuals choose their vocation. For some it can be obvious with few, if any, detours along the way. For others it often is a tortuous journey filled with many dead ends. When I was a freshman in high school, I had to write a report on a potential future career. I chose to write about psychiatry. After I finished the report I decided you’d have to be crazy to be a psychiatrist! At that point I decided I would get a Ph.D. in chemistry and that is what I did. When it comes to our vocation, we’ve all heard the platitudes about “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Or “be sure you are called and not driven.” While those adages may be sound advice they don’t necessarily help a person find their ultimate purpose.

I suspect many of you will have heard some version of the parable of the three bricklayers and the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. One version goes like this:

One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold, one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast. To the first bricklayer, Christopher Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.” The second bricklayer, responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.” But the third brick layer, the most productive of the three and the future leader of the group, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

The point of the parable is that, while all three shared the same vocation, the third bricklayer had a sense of purpose that went beyond himself.

In Psalm 138, David expresses his confidence in God’s presence in his life - past, present, and future. He praises the Lord for His past love and faithfulness and how the Lord has heard and strengthened him (vs. 1-3). Even in the midst of the present trouble and dangers the Lord is with him and saving him (vs.6-7). But David also expresses his confidence that the Lord is not done with him and will bring to fruition His purposes for him (vs. 8). I was struck by David’s use of pronouns. This psalm is deeply personal (I, me, my), but also evidences David’s desire for all peoples (they) to praise the great and glorious Lord who sustains him and gives him purpose.

In Question 1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (in Modern English) we have a succinct response about our ultimate purpose:

Q.1. What is man’s primary purpose?

A. Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Whatever tasks you find yourself doing today, may you do so to the glory of God and find enjoyment and purpose in Him.

PRAYER

Repeat the following breath prayer throughout the day:

(Breathe in) Ever loving and faithful Lord

(Breathe out) Fulfill Your purpose for me today and forever

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TERRY GUSTAFSON

My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 12 years. We have two grown daughters and one grandchild. I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship. I currently have the privilege of serving on the UALC Council.