We live in a perilous world.
Fears of renewed military conflicts, rising prices, new viruses, anger at the political establishment, a rise in crime, etc., has produced a level of anxiety that has affected us all. Teenage suicide is on the rise; people are living longer but enjoying it less.
We face a shortage of teachers, health care workers, pilots of major airlines, etc. We have more money to spend but find less meaning in the stuff we acquire. People on the street have little control on the concerns listed.
It has been said the greatest need we have is to love and be loved. Accompanying that is the need for meaning and purpose in life — to have feeling of significance. It is interesting the simple book, Purpose Driven Life — with the subtitle, What on Earth Am I Here For, has sold more than 30 million copies.
Outside the Bible, the hardback version is the best selling, non-fiction book in history. Business executives, athletes and average people by the millions have read it. It was even featured in a Hollywood movie. Rick Warren, the author, originally wrote it for the members of his church, but the book captured the attention of millions.
I remember reading it when it came out in the hardback version. I thought, “If only it was in paperback so I could give it to the inmates in the county jail where I am the chaplain.” About two weeks later, the undersheriff called me into his office and showed me a carton of books addressed to the chaplain. It contained 48 paperback copies of the book, Purpose Driven Live. Since then I have given away thousands of the book. Several inmates tell me they have read it through several times.
The essence of the book is captured in the first four words of the first page. Those words are “It’s not about you.” In his introductory chapter he expresses the following truths: first, It all starts with God; second,You Are Not an Accident; third, What Drives Your life; fourth, Made to Last Forever; fifth, Seeing Life from God’s View; sixth, Life is a Temporary Assignment; and seventh,The Reason for Everything.
He goes on to proclaim the five purposes of life: first, You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure; second, You Were Planned for God’s Family; third, You Were Created to Become Like Christ; fourth, You Were Shaped for Serving God; and fifth, You Were Made for a Mission.
William James said, “The greatest use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” A greater philosopher, teacher and Savior; Jesus Christ said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”Matt 16:25. In our concern about the seemingly insurmountable problems we face, let us realize our mission is not to solve those problems but to spend our lives on eternal things, people and the expansion of the gospel. This we are called to do. He has promised his presence and power for the task.
Writing from a prison cell in Rome the Apostle Paul said,” Be not anxious about anything, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6,7. He declared his life purpose in his words to the Ephesians who tried to talk him out of going to Jerusalem; “However, I count my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts.20:24
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