Purpose Driven Life - Day 1

IT ALL STARTS WITH GOD

Note from the addict:

[As the addict stumbles along trying to avoid acting out, he has been advised that he needs a vision--something positive to work towards rather than simply a set of negatives to avoid. The addict is a believer and looks to Jesus Christ as the source of life, salvation, and redemption. The addict now embarks on a 40-day journey to explore the purpose and meaning of his life. He has turned to Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" to aid him on his path.

You are invited to join the addict here as he goes through reflections for forty different days (not necessarily consecutive days). Or, if the idea of turning to God for meaning scares or offends you, you may skip these entries and join the addict elsewhere in his wanderings. Whoever and wherever you may be, the addict is happy to be in your presence.]

PONT TO PONDER: It's not about me!

VERSE TO REMEMBER: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colosians 1:15-16)[TNIV]

THOUGHTS:

"It's not about you.

"The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born BY his purpose and FOR his purpose."

"It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and out destiny."

MY THOUGHTS:

Right here at the beginning of Rick Warren's book is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak. In essence, I am challenged to decide if I am a believer or not. If I AM a believer, then Warren's assertions make sense: my purpose must come from God because, after all, he created me and the world in which I live. It may be that he is the primordial watch-maker (the prime mover) who simply set the world and the universe in motion and then walked away to observe the outcome impassionately. Or it may be that he is the personal creator claimed by the Christians who enters history and seeks relationship. But in either case, my purpose and meaning in life is determined by God and not by me.

Of course, if I don't believe in a creator, then Rick Warren's assertions make no sense. But then I am probably not reading this book.

As for me, I believe. And so the awareness that it is not about me--as simple as this awareness is--is both important and powerful. If I am to find meaning in life, I must look to my maker and find that meaning in him.

Father of all, my very being and all that I have comes from you. Please direct my attention and my acts to the meaning and purpose for which you have created me.

Amen.