Goods ‘fit for purpose’ are ‘well suited for their designated role or purpose.’ The chillies we have been lovingly tending since October last year have provided us with endless amusement and spiritual enlightenment, but if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, then presumably the success of our chilli-growing can only really be measured once the said chillies have been eaten.
Yesterday was the day when, upon inspection of the red chillies, we decided that if we left them any longer, they would start to shrivel. So we plucked the first one:
We plucked another two and then chopped them, ready to eat (and ready to re-plant their seeds, so they can continue to fill God’s command to reproduce!)
I’m pleased to report that these chillies had flavour, fire and quite an after-burn!
What is our purpose in life, then? (other than to eat chillies, of course….!) The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks what is man’s chief end (or purpose) and answers this ‘man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’ How are we doing when we evaluate our lives according to this criterion? Are we fit for purpose? We are undoubtedly still being pruned, shaped and refined by God, but we need to examine our purpose regularly and refuse to live by any other standard imposed on us. All that really matters is found in Christ and our purpose needs to reflect His centrality and importance.