We are all placed on earth to fulfil "God's purpose," but most of us will go through the whole of our lives without ever finding out what it was. For some, it will mean achieving great things, but for most of us it will be the small acts of love and kindness that will ensure we will be welcomed into God's presence having served his purpose.

One day a long time ago on a farm in North Yorkshire, an ox said to a mule, "Let's pretend to be sick, so we don't have to work." The mule said, "No, we need to get the work done so the farmer can afford to feed us." So the ox feigned sickness and the farmer brought him fresh hay every day, whilst the mule went off to work in the fields. At the end of the day the mule returned to the barn and the ox asked, "How did things go?" the mule replied, "All right I suppose." For the rest of the week the ox pretended to be sick, at the end of the week he asked the mule if the farmer had said anything about him. The mule replied, "He didn't say anything to me, but the farmer had a long chat with the local butcher on the way home."

Yes! We were born to fulfil a divine purpose and when we don't, there will be consequences. In the parable of the talents, the man who buried his talent in the ground paid a very high price for his foolishness. St Paul writes, "Everyone's work will be put through the fire, to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire then the builder will receive a reward, but if not, then the builder will suffer great loss."