Welcome to the 40 day adventure. I hope and pray that something significant takes place in your life as you pursue purpose. I believe that if you commit to this daily rhythm, it will.
Where do we start?
The book forming the basis of this 40 day adventure is called ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren. You would think that a book based solely on this theme would begin with highlighting you, the individual.
Im afraid to say, it starts as it should, by highlighting the complete opposite. The opening four words of day 1 are “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU”.
“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible … everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
Col 1:16 MSG
This discovery of life’s purpose is nothing new. For generations people have been seeking for the meaning of life. How many of us (or maybe it’s just a friend) have gone on the journey to “find ourselves”? And how have we done this? By looking inside of ourselves.
It’s the wrong starting point.
As Rick Warren states from the outset, “Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God”.
I believe in a creator and that we are the created. The word I use to articulate my belief in an intelligent designer is “God”. I sincerely believe we are made by God and for God. This being the case it makes complete sense to me that the right starting point for the discovery of purpose should begin with him.
This is not about “self-help”.
There is plenty of advice in the world about self actualisation and human performance which I enjoy reading about. There are helpful insights and conversations which are really thought proving but this is a deeper issue.
The best way to discover the reason for something created is to go directly to the creator. Let’s say I come across a new invention, the invention itself wouldn’t provide me with it’s intent. To truly understand the purpose I need to go to the inventor.
“The same is true for discovering life’s purpose: ask God”.
Rick Warren
There are 2 ways to go about this pursuit. We can speculate. Take a guess and have a fly at what it might be … or we can believe for revelation. We turn to what God has revealed about life in his word, the Bible.
Here are 3 insights from God’s word:
- Purpose is discovered through a relationship with Jesus.
- His purpose for us, existed before we did.
- Purpose for life fits into a much larger cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity.
Well, we’ve begun! Congratulations for getting to this point. Im excited for what’s ahead and I consider it a privilege to be doing this with you.
In summary:
Remember: It’s not about you.
Key bible verse: “Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” Col 1:16
Prayer: Lord, show me your purpose for my life.
Much love,
Bevan
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