Book Rec. : The Purpose Driven Life
By Rick Warren
As we focus on the key aspects of the good life as explained here, I want to highlight some key points from Rick Warren’s book ‘The Purpose Driven Life’.
Five purposes for your life
Purpose #1: You were planned for God’s pleasure
Here Warren emphasizes the need for worship and relationship, as we were created to bring enjoyment to God and that this knowledge should bring significance to our lives. This is achieved through worship and relationship. Worship is present when we love God, trust him completely, obey him, praise him and use our gifts for his purposes. Relationship refers to cultivating a friendship with God. This is achieved through constant conversation and continual meditation (prayer & reading his word).
Purpose #2: You were formed for God’s family
The second purpose he presents is to become a part of the family of God. This comes from a personal commitment to serving and following Jesus and loving and caring for each other. It’s about being a part of a community.
Purpose #3: You were created to become like Christ
This purpose emphasizes transformation, by taking on God’s values, attitudes and character. This means allowing God to do a transformative work within us through his Holy Spirit and his word. It means growing and learning to resist temptation.
Purpose #4: You were shaped for serving God
This purpose looks at our contributions to the kingdom of God, through service. Understanding and identifying our spiritual gifts, our desires, abilities, personality and experiences are keys to service. Then we are to serve faithfully, humbly and attentively.
Thinking like a servant is:
- Thinking about others more than yourself
- Thinking like a steward and not an owner
- Thinking about your own work and not what others are doing
- Basing your identity in Christ
- Seeing ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation.
Purpose #5: You were made for a mission
Your mission as a believer refers to your service to those who do not share your faith. We all have a shared responsibility where this is concerned but each individual also has a specific role to play. This mission is geared towards telling the world about the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Doing so may include your testimonies, life lessons, godly passions and the good news. This purpose requires us to think outside of ourselves.
Which of these five purposes stood out to you? Do you think there is one that may be particularly difficult to you? Have you read this book? If so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below.
Be a blessing,
KellyP
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
