Live a Life Filled With Purpose

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What is my purpose in life?

We begin asking ourselves these questions from the moment we learn to speak.

As our children grow, they ask us these questions as well.

Some people ask these questions until they take their final breath.

Do you know the reason why you’re here?

If you find the answers to these questions elusive, chances are, you’re seeking enlightenment in all of the wrong places!

When our lives feel empty or lack meaning – when deep down inside, we feel unfulfilled – we often:

• Seek fulfillment in jobs that cannot measure our worth.
• Pursue pleasure from pastimes that rob us of health.
• Turn to false idols that can never fill our empty spaces.
• Seek wisdom from false teachers who only lead us astray.
• Seek comfort from people who can never give us unconditional love.

However, there is only one place that holds the answers to the existential questions we seek – the Bible. There is only one person who can give true meaning to our lives – God.

For in Him we live and have our being. – Acts 17:28

It’s Not About You – It’s About God

Ten years ago, my church studied The Shorter Westminster Catechism and spent a lot of time reflecting on the meaning of its opening statement:

The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

This isn’t a popular concept to teach these days, particularly in a society whose focus is on exalting the individual, not the Lord.

But it’s an important truth – one that’s key to understanding who we are and why we’re here. The reason why “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation” is that they lack a fundamental understanding of who God is and who they are in relationship to Him.

In 2002, California pastor Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, a biblically-based book that explains “the chief end of man” in language contemporary readers can understand. The book’s opening message states “It All Starts With God” and “It’s Not About You”.

The results were ground-breaking.

According to Publishers Weekly, The Purpose Driven Life currently holds the record as the bestselling non-fiction hardback book in history (next to the Bible!). More than 32 million around the world have flocked to this book to learn why they’re hear and how they can live according to God’s purpose.

The perpetual popularity of this book reveals two things about our spiritual condition:

• There’s a hole in people’s hearts that only God can fill.
• There are questions in life that only the Bible can answer.

Here are a few key points that the Bible teaches us about our identity and purpose in life that Rick shares in his book.

Who Am I?

All things were created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

You are God’s creation. God created you for His eternal plan and His purposes. Once you understand that, everything begins to fall into place. You can start to live a life that pleases God – a life filled with daily praise and worship.

Why Am I Here?

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

You are here to love God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul. You are here to love your neighbor as yourself. You are here to be salt and light in a dying world. You are here to become more and more conformed to the image of Christ with each passing day. You are here to minister to others using the gifts that God has given you.

What Is My Purpose In Life?

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:8

As Christ-followers, you are given opportunities to share your testimony and the good news of the gospel with people that God places on your heart and in your life. God prepares you to meet with these people through the connections you make, the life experiences you have, your talents and spiritual gifts, and through His Holy Spirit working through you.

You don’t have to be a gifted evangelist to make a difference in other people’s lives. Remember, it’s not about you! All you need is a heart that is willing to let God’s light shine through you!

The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

It takes a long time in life for most of us to truly understand who we are in Christ – why our lives have meaning and value in God’s eyes in spite of how others view it – and why our identity and mission in life are not dependent on any job, role, title or position.

Because we are immersed in a culture that bombards us with non-biblical messages, we need to spend a lot of time in prayer and in God’s Word to transform the way we think.

That’s why I recommend The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids.

The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids is a 365-day devotional that teaches middle school children that God created them with a purpose and helps them to live out God’s plans and purpose for their life!

Watch the video trailer for more information about this very special book!

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Your Turn

How does understanding who you are from God’s perspective help you to lead a more fulfilling life? What suggestions do you have for helping your children to understand how loved by and valuable they are to God? Please share your thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!