Living on purpose is the
only way to really live – everything else is just existing!
People struggle with basic
issues in life (examples):
IDENTITY – ‘Who am I?’
IMPORTANCE – ‘Do I matter?’
IMPACT – ‘What is my place
in life?’
The answers are in God’s
purposes for our lives…
As we come to the end of
this 40 day journey, God’s purposes for your life should now be evident – you
will be blessed if you do them! To prevent getting distracted and drifting off
course, develop a PURPOSE STATEMENT for your life.
WHAT IS A LIFE PURPOSE
STATEMENT?
It summarizes God’s purposes
for your life.
It points the direction of
your life
It defines ‘success’ for you
It clarifies your roles
It expresses your shape
Take time writing your statement;
don’t aim for perfection at once, it’s a work in progress – just write down
your thoughts as fast as they come to you.
Consider these questions
as you prepare it:
+ What will be the centre of
my life? – The question of worship.
You need an unshakable
centre. Pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your heart. When
God’s at the centre, you worship; when He’s not, you worry.
+ What will be the character
of my life? – The question of discipleship.
Remember, you will take your
character into eternity, not your career. Keep a firm grasp on both your
character and your teaching with spiritual understanding, alert discipline,
passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness and generous love.
+ What will be the
contribution of my life? – The question of service.
Fashion a combination out of
your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences to
establish your best role in the family of God. (Ministry) You have to choose
whom and how you can best help, based on your ‘shape’.
+ What will be the
communication of my life? – The question of your mission.
Your mission should be aimed
mainly at non-believers; it is the commitment to share your testimony and the
Good News with others. Our lives must support and validate the message we
communicate - before unbelievers accept the Bible as credible they will need to
know that we are credible – therefore be sure to live in a way that brings
honour to the Good News of Christ.
+ What will be the community
of my life? – The question of fellowship.
Where you genuinely practice
with other believers and express your love for God’s church.
Now consider your answers
to these questions.
Pray, think about it, talk
with close friends and reflect on Scripture. What matters most is that it
fulfills God’s eternal purposes regardless of where you live or work or whom
you associate with.
{There exists a suggestion
that you develop your life purpose statement based on what you would like other
people to say about you at your funeral – your perfect eulogy – actually it’s a
very bad plan… Our purpose is to please God, not people.}
Put Jesus at the centre of
your life, develop His character, devote your life to serving others,
communicate His message and fulfill His mission and love and participate in His
family – following these tenets will almost certainly give you the basis for a phenomenal statement. Our goal is
to measure up to God’s plan for us...
The ultimate definition of a
life well lived would prove to be:
Doing
the eternal and timeless (God’s purposes) in a contemporary and timely way (in
your generation)
– That is what the Purpose
Driven Life is all about.
Only we can serve God’s
purpose in this generation. God is constantly looking for people to use; it’s
our job to assist Him. One day history will come to an end, but eternity will
go on forever. When fulfilling your purposes seems tough, don’t give in to
discouragement. Remember your reward, which will last forever...
PRAISE HIM FOR HIS PLAN AND
LIVE FOR HIS PURPOSES FOREVER!
Start living on purpose
today… Love you all ~ Stafford
“God made him who had no sin
to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2
Corinthians 5:21
