We often wonder what God’s purpose is for our lives. One of the most important things I had to learn was it is not about me. In The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, one of the first verses in Day #1 is:
For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Colossians 1:16 (Msg)
When I read the book I did not see where the questions posed in Day1 would be applicable to me. What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? I was married to a wonderful man, we had children and grandchildren. I worked at a job for years, while my job was stressful, I believed I was were I should be. I was chairperson in our Women’s Ministry and also taught the Ladies Sunday School Class and on Wednesdays I was a helper in Awanas.
When I was teaching The Purpose Driven Life I could see where some of these questions might be applicable to the Ladies in my class but I did not see how they were applicable to myself. I knew I was where God wanted me and doing what He wanted. However, as our study proceeded, many different situations in the lives of these women changed and they were faced with changes.
“ Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose,” ”You were made by God and for God – and until you understand that, life will never make sense“ two quotes by Rick Warren.
A lot has changed since I taught that class. We changed churches and it is a huge church where I don’t feel connected to. I’ve got a lot of physical problems as well as having a form of dementia, I no longer work. I suffer from a major depressive disorder along with numerous illnesses.
Now, when I look at this first chapter, I ask myself “What is my identity and purpose? Rick Warren gave these three insights:
1)You must discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
2)God planned our life before we even existed.
3)The purpose of our life is involved in a greater purpose designed for eternity.
Now, I ask myself what can I do now, I am home bound, not always able to have good cognitive days and I have to deal with pain. What does that have to do with God’s purpose and will for my life? Well, everything has changed in my life. I need to remember “it is not about me.” My living for God is what is important. One of the ways God has been leading is to blog.
I want to thank Rick Warren for his permission to journal The Purpose Driven Life. What about you? Have you discovered your identity and purpose? It must be first found in a relationship with Jesus Chrit. If you have any questions how to discover Jesus Christ in your life, please refer to my page, “Healing a Broken Heart” which is at the top of my blog.
I ask myself: ”How can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, and not myself.”
Have a wonderful day.
