Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life

1. Discover Your God-Given Purpose

"You are not an accident. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did."

God's intentional design. Every person is created by God with a specific purpose in mind. This purpose is not just about personal fulfillment, but about fulfilling God's grand design for the world. Understanding this purpose gives life meaning, simplifies decision-making, focuses energy, and prepares one for eternity.

Five purposes of life. Rick Warren outlines five core purposes that God has for every believer:

• Worship: Planned for God's pleasure
• Fellowship: Formed for God's family
• Discipleship: Created to become like Christ
• Ministry: Shaped for serving God
• Evangelism: Made for a mission

These purposes are derived from the Great Commandment and the Great Commission given by Jesus. By aligning one's life with these purposes, a person can live a life of significance and eternal impact.

2. Worship: Planned for God's Pleasure

"God smiles when we love him supremely, trust him completely, obey him wholeheartedly, and praise and thank him continually."

God's desire for relationship. Worship is not just about singing or attending church services. It's about developing a deep, personal relationship with God. This relationship brings pleasure to God and fulfillment to the worshipper. True worship involves loving God with all of one's heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Elements of worship. Warren outlines several key aspects of worship that please God:

• Loving God supremely
• Trusting God completely
• Obeying God wholeheartedly
• Praising and thanking God continually

These elements should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, transforming daily activities into acts of worship. By focusing on these elements, believers can cultivate a lifestyle of worship that brings joy to God and purpose to their lives.

3. Fellowship: Formed for God's Family

"You are called to belong, not just believe."

Church as family. God designed humans for community, not isolation. The church is meant to be a spiritual family where believers find love, support, and growth. This family transcends biological ties and cultural boundaries, united by faith in Christ.

Importance of fellowship. Warren emphasizes several key aspects of Christian fellowship:

• Belonging: Finding a place of acceptance and purpose
• Mutual support: Encouraging and helping one another
• Spiritual growth: Learning and maturing together
• Accountability: Helping each other stay on track spiritually

Actively participating in a local church and developing deep relationships with other believers is crucial for spiritual health and fulfilling God's purpose for one's life.

4. Discipleship: Created to Become Like Christ

"God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development."

Character transformation. The process of discipleship involves gradually becoming more like Jesus Christ in character and conduct. This transformation is a lifelong journey that requires intentional effort and cooperation with God's work in one's life.

Key aspects of discipleship:

• Bible study: Learning and applying God's Word
• Prayer: Developing a close relationship with God
• Obedience: Following God's commands and principles
• Serving others: Putting faith into action
• Perseverance through trials: Growing through challenges

God uses various means to shape believers, including Scripture, circumstances, and other people. The goal is to develop Christlike qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

5. Ministry: Shaped for Serving God

"You were put on earth to make a contribution. You weren't created just to consume resources—to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life."

Unique design for service. Every believer is uniquely shaped by God for specific acts of service. This shape is described by the acronym SHAPE:

• Spiritual gifts: Special abilities given by the Holy Spirit
• Heart: Passions and interests
• Abilities: Natural talents and skills
• Personality: Unique temperament and traits
• Experiences: Life lessons and personal history

Discovering and using your SHAPE. Warren encourages believers to:

• Identify their unique combination of gifts, passions, and abilities
• Find opportunities to serve that align with their SHAPE
• Develop their talents and skills for greater effectiveness
• Embrace their personality and experiences as tools for ministry

By serving in ways that fit their SHAPE, believers can experience fulfillment and make a significant impact in God's kingdom.

6. Evangelism: Made for a Mission

"You have a choice to make. You will be either a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian."

Global perspective. God's heart is for the whole world, and He calls believers to participate in His mission of reaching all people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This mission gives life its ultimate meaning and significance.

Becoming a world-class Christian. Warren outlines several shifts in thinking necessary to embrace this mission:

• From self-centered to others-centered thinking
• From local to global thinking
• From "here and now" to eternal thinking
• From excuses to creative ways to fulfill the commission

Practical steps for fulfilling this mission include praying for opportunities, developing relationships with non-believers, sharing one's personal testimony, and supporting global missions through giving and going.

7. Balance Your Life's Five Purposes

"Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone."

Importance of balance. Maintaining balance among the five purposes is crucial for spiritual health and long-term effectiveness. Neglecting any area can lead to frustration and burnout, while overemphasizing one at the expense of others can result in a lopsided spiritual life.

Strategies for maintaining balance:

• Regular self-assessment: Evaluating one's life in light of the five purposes
• Accountability: Partnering with others for support and feedback
• Journaling: Tracking spiritual progress and insights
• Teaching others: Reinforcing lessons by sharing them
• Developing spiritual habits: Creating routines that incorporate all five purposes

By intentionally pursuing balance, believers can experience the fullness of life that God intends and make a lasting impact for His kingdom.

Last updated: October 14, 2024