Toy Story 4 - Finding Purpose

July 25, 2021

Robert Sherrill

Woody and Forky are both unaware of what lies ahead of them. Both are seeking throughout Toy Story 4 to understand and to figure out the answer to the question that begins with “what.” What is my purpose? What am I supposed to be about, to do?

As Christ Followers, we know that according to God’s Word, we were created by God for a

.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) / Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. —Psalm 138:8 (NRSV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. —Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Our purpose is to fulfill His

.

God’s purpose for your life is not an assignment to complete, but an invitation to participate.

Step One -

The Helper is the Holy Spirit. The Father will send Him in My place. He will teach you everything and help you remember everything I have told you. —John 14:26 (NLV)

If you are truly desiring to know God’s purpose for your life,

· Are you making

and

Reveal Answer

?

· Are you reading and

to what God is saying to you through His word?

· Are you listening as you

to Him?

· Are you listening to those who God

in your life.

Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you. —Psalm 25:4-5 (LB)

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but,
letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! —James 1:22 (MSG)

Step Two -

God desires to

and

Reveal Answer

us to His plan: His purpose for our lives.

We need to remember,

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. —Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

Taking action -

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. —James 1:25 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. —James 1:22 (NIV)

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. —Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

When you do act,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord —Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

We must always be ready to

Reveal Answer

.

God might be desiring to use your situation to direct you in a very different direction to accomplish His purpose.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

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