When you know what it is really important, life becomes easier. When you are clear about your purpose in life, many decisions become easier. When you know what you are on the earth to do, the possibility of accomplishing your mission becomes easier. Knowing our purpose, understanding why we are here, and accomplishing our mission is the desire of the human heart. Generally speaking, discovering these things feels mind boggling. Yet it does not need to be.

Jesus told us this about finding true life:

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3).

Paul told us this about our purpose:

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29).

Paul also told us this was worth every sacrifice:

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:7-11).

Knowing Jesus is the key.

Knowing Jesus is the answer.

Knowing Jesus is our purpose.

Knowing Jesus is why we are here.

Jesus said knowing Him is eternal life. Paul said being conformed to the likeness of Jesus is why we are here. Paul also said knowing Jesus is worth sacrificing everything else.

Knowing Jesus is worth everything!
So the real question we must ask is this: "How can I know Jesus?"

We know Him by reading about Him — not just the facts, but also learning who He was and who He is and who He will always be. We know Him by understanding how He thinks, how He feels, and how He cares about people. We know Him when we see Him in the lives of other people. We know Him when we experience His presence within our own hearts as we grow in our knowledge of Him and conform into His likeness. We know Him as we experience Him in our daily lives of service for Him.

We can know our purpose. Our purpose is to know Jesus. Knowing Jesus is worth everything... every effort... every cost... every ounce of energy... every sacrifice.

Be looking for tomorrow's post, "Be Born in Me," for more on how to get to know Jesus.

Also see "God's Greatest Message" posted yesterday for the importance of Jesus as God's Voice, the Father's fullest message to us.

The team at Heartlight.org and Verse of the Day and A Year with Jesus encourage you to take this special time of the year to focus on Jesus. Check out each of our resources as we seek to make our heart a home for Jesus.