The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter Forty
Living With Purpose (The Final Chapter)
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Living on purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing.
Most people struggle with three basic issues in life. The first is identity. The second is importance. The third is impact. The answers to all three questions are found.in God's five purposes for you. Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it.
This probably means you will have to stop doing some other things. There are many "good" things you can do with your life, but God's purposes are the five essentials you must do. Unfortunately, it's easy to get distracted and forget what is most important. It's easy to drift away from what matters most and slowly get off course. To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly.
WHAT IS A LIFE PURPOSE STATEMENT?
It's a statement that summarizes God's purposes for your life . In your own words you affirm your commitment to God's five purposes for your life. A purpose statement is not a list of goals. Goals are temporary; purposes are eternal.
It's a statement that points the direction of your life. Writing down your purpose on paper will force you to think specifically about the path of your life. A life purpose statement not only spells out what you intend to do with your time, life, and money, but also implies what your aren't going to do.
It's a statement that defines "success" for you. It states what you believe is important, not what the world says is important. It clarifies your values.
It's a statement that clarifies your roles. You will have different roles at different stages in life, but your purposes will never change. They are greater than any role you will have.
It's a statement that expresses your shape. It reflects the unique ways God made you to serve him.
Here are five questions you should consider as you prepare your statement:
LIFE"S FIVE GREATEST QUESTIONS
What will be the center of my life? This is the question of worship. Who are you going to live for? What are you goind to build your life around? You can center your life around your career, your family, a sport or hobby, money, having fun, or many other activities. These are all good things, but they don't belong at the center of your life. None is strong enough to hold you together when life starts breaking apart. You need an unshakeable center.
How do you know when God is at the center of your life? When God's at the center, you worship. When He's not, you worry. Worry is the warning light that God has been shoved to the sideline. The moment you put him back at the center, you will have peace again.
What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be? God is far more interested in what you are than what you do. Make a list of the character qualities you want to work on and develop in your life.
What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ? Knowing your combination of spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences (SHAPE), what would be your best role in the family of God?
While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn't meet the needs of everyone while on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help, based on your shape. You need to ask "Who do I have a desire to help most?"
What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers. Your mission statement is a part of your life purpose statement. It should include you commitment to share your testimony and the Good News with others.
If you are a parent, part of your mission is to raise your children ot know Christ, to help them understand His purposes for their lives, and to send them out on their mission in the world.
Of course, our lives must support and validate the message we communicate. Before most unbelievers accept the Bible as credible, they want to know that we are credible.
What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the "one another" commands with other Christians? To which church family will you be joined as a functioning member? The more you mature, the more you will love the Body of Christ and want to sacrifice for it.
In addition to writing a detailed life purpose statement, it is also helpful to have a shorter statement or slogan that summarizes the five purposes for your life in a way that's memorable and inspires you. Then you can remind yourself daily.
Most people struggle with three basic issues in life. The first is identity. The second is importance. The third is impact. The answers to all three questions are found.in God's five purposes for you. Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it.
This probably means you will have to stop doing some other things. There are many "good" things you can do with your life, but God's purposes are the five essentials you must do. Unfortunately, it's easy to get distracted and forget what is most important. It's easy to drift away from what matters most and slowly get off course. To prevent this, you should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly.
WHAT IS A LIFE PURPOSE STATEMENT?
It's a statement that summarizes God's purposes for your life . In your own words you affirm your commitment to God's five purposes for your life. A purpose statement is not a list of goals. Goals are temporary; purposes are eternal.
It's a statement that points the direction of your life. Writing down your purpose on paper will force you to think specifically about the path of your life. A life purpose statement not only spells out what you intend to do with your time, life, and money, but also implies what your aren't going to do.
It's a statement that defines "success" for you. It states what you believe is important, not what the world says is important. It clarifies your values.
It's a statement that clarifies your roles. You will have different roles at different stages in life, but your purposes will never change. They are greater than any role you will have.
It's a statement that expresses your shape. It reflects the unique ways God made you to serve him.
Here are five questions you should consider as you prepare your statement:
LIFE"S FIVE GREATEST QUESTIONS
What will be the center of my life? This is the question of worship. Who are you going to live for? What are you goind to build your life around? You can center your life around your career, your family, a sport or hobby, money, having fun, or many other activities. These are all good things, but they don't belong at the center of your life. None is strong enough to hold you together when life starts breaking apart. You need an unshakeable center.
How do you know when God is at the center of your life? When God's at the center, you worship. When He's not, you worry. Worry is the warning light that God has been shoved to the sideline. The moment you put him back at the center, you will have peace again.
What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be? God is far more interested in what you are than what you do. Make a list of the character qualities you want to work on and develop in your life.
What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ? Knowing your combination of spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences (SHAPE), what would be your best role in the family of God?
While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn't meet the needs of everyone while on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help, based on your shape. You need to ask "Who do I have a desire to help most?"
What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers. Your mission statement is a part of your life purpose statement. It should include you commitment to share your testimony and the Good News with others.
If you are a parent, part of your mission is to raise your children ot know Christ, to help them understand His purposes for their lives, and to send them out on their mission in the world.
Of course, our lives must support and validate the message we communicate. Before most unbelievers accept the Bible as credible, they want to know that we are credible.
What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the "one another" commands with other Christians? To which church family will you be joined as a functioning member? The more you mature, the more you will love the Body of Christ and want to sacrifice for it.
In addition to writing a detailed life purpose statement, it is also helpful to have a shorter statement or slogan that summarizes the five purposes for your life in a way that's memorable and inspires you. Then you can remind yourself daily.