“Our life is a pentathlon of five purposes, which we must keep in balance.”
Rick Warren
Our purposes are summarised in the Great Commandment and Great Commission. These statements sum up a life of purpose.
Essentially God has five purposes for our life:
- “Love God with all your heart”: We are planned for God’s pleasure. Our purpose is to love God through worship.
- “Love your neighbour as yourself”: We are shaped for serving. Our purpose is to show our love for others through ministry.
- “Go and make disciples”: We were made for a mission. Our purpose is to share God’s message everywhere with everyone.
- “baptise them into …”: We are formed for God’s family. Our purpose is to find our fit within God’s church.
- “teach them to do all things …”: We are created to become like Jesus. Our purpose is to grow through discipleship.
Keeping balance in these five purposes is not easy. We will overemphasise certain purposes that we are more passionate about. Churches do the same thing.
Here are four practical ways to keep a healthy balance in living out these major purposes:
- Connect into a small group of believers. Life develops in small groups. We grow in circles of friendship. It’s important for us to process life and faith with a trusted small group of friends. Intimate and vulnerable conversation will sharpen our minds and deepen our convictions.
- Allocate time to evaluate. It’s a good thing to ponder where you are in life. To look upward and inward. A regular spiritual checkup is needed for us all.
- Document the process. Journalling has now actually become a practice of many successful people. Many will attribute their success to documenting and processing through journaling. Try it, what have you got to lose?
- The best way to learn is to teach. Pass on what you are learning. Don’t keep it to yourself. Sharing will enlarge others and yourself. Our world increases through generosity. Who can you speak with about what you’ve learnt in this process?
It’s all for God’s glory.
Jesus modelled a purpose driven life. God calls us into this life of purpose. Not only does he invite us to live with purpose but calls us to invite others to do the same.
Start living with purpose today.
Summary:
Remember – balance is blessing.
Key Bible verse – “Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honour, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognising and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 AMP
Pray – Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for your invitation into purpose. Today is the day of purpose.
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