Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
It is appropriate that I’m finishing the book “The Purpose Driven Life” on my birthday. This has been an excellent study for me. Rick Warren, in summary, suggests creating a purpose statement unique to my life. I recommend this study to everyone, especially those who might have forgotten what God has us on earth to do and develop a purpose statement for themselves.
I don’t know how many days I have left on this planet, but I know my life is eternal. It took many years to get to this point of peace because I wasn’t obedient and charted “my” paths for much of my life. I started listening to the LORD the last five or six years, and what a difference it’s made! I broke free of bad habits while adding other godly habits that helped me stay close to God daily. As I continue to study and learn God’s particular purposes for my life, the more the practices become my lifestyle.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
Rick Warren writes that the above Scripture verses sum up the five purposes of our lives:
- “Love God with all your heart”: You were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.
- “Love your neighbor as yourself”: You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry.
- “Go and make disciples”: You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God’s message through evangelism.
- “baptize them into …”: You were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.
- “teach them to do all things …”: You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.
Warren states that keeping these purposes in balance is difficult in our culture, but if we connect with others in small groups, keep a journal, and spend time studying and praying, we can be assured of God’s blessings on our life. I can attest to these practices since they have changed my life tremendously.
