Archive for the ‘Purpose’ Category
Sunday, June 6th, 2004
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are”
Anais Nin (author of avant-garde novels)
Rick Warren asks what image would come to your mind if asked how you picture life. This image is your ‘life metaphor’. He writes about a few life metaphors he’s been shown by people:
Life is a roller coaster (Ronan Keating’s song)
Life is a circus (David Bowie’s song - never officially released - as well as the 1962 movie of the same name, AND, a Charlie Brown movie!)
Life is a minefield (as said by Raoul Felder, divorce lawyer, in his book, Bare Knuckle Negotiation)
Life is a symphony (Frances Murphy’s book)
Life is a journey, Life is a dance, Life is a carousel
Life is a game of cards (Eugene Hare)
And there’s others not listed in Warren’s book:
Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get (Forrest Gump)
Life is a joke
Life is a drama
Life is a dream
Life is a lottery (John Shakespeare on genetics)
and Life is a beach
Rick then goes on to tell us the Bible presents three metaphors that teach us God’s view of life: Life is a test, Life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment.
“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Rick’s question: “What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God?”
Ricks suggests that we will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies. Every time we pass a test God notices and makes plans to reward us in eternity. Rick quotes the letter of James: “Blessed are those that endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
I agree that God is deeply interested in how I respond to the circumstances of my life. At times I grow in maturity. At times I stumble. God is watching, waiting for me to get up each time. That’s why I prefer the metaphor of a race or journey. This is not a pass/fail test that determines my “grade in heaven”. It’s an ongoing marathon of endurance that calls for every bit of ‘up and go’ God can inspire in me.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13 says God will not allow us to be tested beyond our power to remain firm. “At the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.”
I know Paul endured a lot of suffering and came through still a strong believer. However I have seen many people fall out under pressure. Some people lose their sanity. Others lose their faith. I think Jesus was closer to the truth in his story of the sower and the seeds. In some cases growth is choked out by competition (weeds) or pecked out by oppression (birds).
Rick uses the metaphor of trust - telling us that God gives us three rewards of affirmation, promotion and celebration in eternity. This is based on Jesus’ story of the businessman giving responsibilities to three employees.
Rick then invites us to ask ourselves, “What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?”
I would consider those greatest matters of trust to be core relationships - with my wife and kids. Gifts and abilities. Income. Capacity for influence in the church and community. Time.
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Friday, June 4th, 2004
“Do you believe in heaven or is it just something rich people invented so that poor people wouldn’t rebel?”
Dave Hughes, The Glasshouse, June 4
“When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in the light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.”
(Rick Warren)
Back in 1984 I did some training with Evangelism Explosion International. In teams of three we asked people two diagnostic questions:
1. If you were to die today, do you know for sure you would go to be with God in heaven?
2. If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My Heaven?” what would you say?
For some people we contacted, these were timely questions. They had spent the last few of their seventy years wondering about the after life. But for many people, heaven was not on the radar. Many people didn’t have a concept of heaven or hell. It was a reflection of the secularised society we were living in (New Zealand).
One young student I worked with turned up one day to say he was giving Christian faith away. He had been motivated to follow Christ by a fear of going to hell. He couldn’t continue to live a life with that kind of motivation. Try as he might, he couldn’t cotton on to the idea that God loved him - it didn’t gel with the attitude of the youth leader who had badgered him into the kingdom.
It gets me thinking. Is the crux of Christian faith an assurance that we will be with God in heaven forever when we die, based on faith in God’s grace shown in Christ’s death on the cross? Or is that the icing on the cake?
I have a personal assurance that I don’t have to worry about my eternal destiny. I know that nothing I can do or say can make God love me more or less. I totally trust in the free offer of life in Jesus Christ. But my heart is on living this life God has called me to, right here, right now. I want to live a life of integrity - one that is growing to look more and more like the life I profess to live.
I certainly hope there is a life after death. I am encouraged by the hope that I may again see my daughter who died at 18 months. But at the same time, I don’t think I can ever bring to life the past. What is gone is gone. The future is in God’s hands.
Rick Warren’s question to consider: “Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?”
Well, I think I’d stop using the word “should”, and start developing a sense of God’s call each day, as opposed to the drive to be “successful”.
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2004
I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy!”
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (Living Bible)
“The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder - a waif, a nothing, a no man.”
Thomas Carlyle
Today’s reading from The Purpose Driven Life challenges some of the drives that pull us around without us knowing. Guilt, resentment and anger, fear, materialism, need for approval - they all influence everyday decisions in unhealthy ways. They lead to unused potential, unnecessary stress and an unfulfilled life. True, true, true.
Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life, simplifies your life, focuses your life, motivates your life, and prepares you for eternity.
Mary Schmich’s graduation speech, known as “Wear Sunscreen”, includes the lines:
“Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.”
Wear Sunscreen Book at Amazon.com
Even at times when I’m not sure about the exact career plan for the rest of my life, I still have a constant sense of purpose. My relationship with God, my call to be in relationship with others, and my groundedness in a lifestyle honouring God’s intention for the earth.
The reading from Jeremiah 29 is a powerful one.
“I know what I am planning for you… “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future”.
We had that reading at our wedding - reflecting our belief that God’s dream for our lives is good. It doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen. But I believe that God’s purposes are constantly reflecting God’s goodness.
Once again, Mary Schmich’s quote:
“Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.”
Rick Warren finishes by saying that living on purpose is the path to peace. I can attest to that.
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