Our church is joining many other churches in a 6 week Bible study called 40 Days of Purpose. I had never thought about how many times the Bible uses the word purpose or a synonym for purpose until this study. For example, Proverbs 16:4 says, The Lord has made everything for his purpose.

Rick Warren, a California pastor, has identified five things that give meaning and purpose to life. We are to study one of those purposes each week. This week it was "You were planned for God's pleasure." Psalm 149:4 says The Lord takes pleasure in his people.

Of all the illustrations used to explain this, my favorite was that of a father and his children. When my husband and I thought about having children, we wanted to hold them and watch them grow and be with them. Thinking of our children makes me smile. It is fun sometimes just to watch them sleep, and a hug from them is the greatest gift in the world.

In the same way, God created us to love him and be with him. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment," said Jesus quoting Moses.

One of the ways God shows his love for us is the abundance in the world he made for us. He could have arranged for us to get all the nourishment we need from one power packed, blah tasting substance. Instead he gave us an amazing variety of foods that give pleasure to the tongue and strength to the body. When I sit down to a meal and give thanks for the food he has provided, I am worshiping him.