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Living with Purpose


I think we all struggle at one point or another with what we are supposed to do with our life. I agree with Matthew Perman in his book What's Best Next that we are all created with the same purpose. That purpose could be summed up by saying we are created to love and worship Yahweh. Beyond that, however, what does God want me to do with my life? Should I be a missionary or a rock star, a receptionist or a ski instructor? Maybe your calling is your career, or perhaps your calling is outside of your career. Ask God to help you with that, but even before you figure that out, you can be living with purpose. At this site you will find resources and my thoughts on how to live each day with purpose. 

First thoughts
  • Pray and invite God into your day. 
    • I hate mornings, but my morning is much better if I start out by talking to God. Some of my best mornings start with my girls and me praying and reading a short children's Bible story even before breakfast. Then, even if our other plans go awry, we have done two of the most important things we ought to do. This time is separate from time where I have more focused prayer for people on my prayer list and the time where I dig into the Bible for my own discipleship. If you are not a parent, this may be different for you, but I still invite you to pray first thing in the morning, even if this is not your most productive time of the day (see below).
  • Figure out when your most productive time of the day is (outside of work, as you will use this time for worship and bettering yourself) Many people find this to be first thing in the morning, or if you are like me, late at night after everyone is in bed.
  • Use most productive time of the day for at least these three things
1.     Pray. I like the ACTS prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), but find what works for you. I do however, suggest you make a habit of talking to God before getting right into asking Him for favors, just as you would with any friend you have (I hope). Also, make sure to ask His Spirit to illuminate your reading of His Word, so as not to misinterpret things, and to help you listen to His voice.
2.     Read the Bible (may be a brief devotional reading or an in-depth study, but do not neglect)
3.     Read an article or book or watch a video with the purpose of bettering yourself as a servant of God and/or one of the roles you fill (e.g. spouse, parent, friend, church leader, etc.). For example, I may read The Love Dare to try to better my role as a wife. I may instead choose to read an article on the holiness of God to try to better understand the character of God, and in turn, my ability to love and worship Him. Perhaps I don't want to read so I look up a sermon on YouTube or I want to watch a History Channel special on the founding of the United States (to better my role as U.S. citizen). Any of these things can help me work toward bettering myself in one or more of the roles I fill. 
  • Assess yourself
    • When you respond to an emergency, you are supposed to constantly assess the situation because it will continue developing as things unfold. The same is true of your life, and even each day of your life. It is thereby vital to constantly assess yourself to make sure you are doing all you can to be the best you can be within your roles. This may just be some mental checklist work to make sure you are doing things such as: honoring God, honoring your spouse, raising godly children, etc. If you have trouble doing this somewhat frequently throughout the day, aim for assessing yourself at least at lunch and bedtime. The first time would aid you in refocusing yourself if you are failing in your roles, and the latter will help give you the opportunity to repent and ask for God's help and guidance for doing better the following day.
    • Three main things I suggest asking yourself:
1.     Am I representing Christ well? 
      OR 
      Would people recognize that I am a Christian? 
2.     Are my actions showing my spouse I love him/her?
3.     Am I demonstrating good behavior and habits for my children and others around me?

I hope these ideas are of benefit to you. Check back in the future for more ideas and resources to come. Please leave comments with your own ideas or any way these ideas may have helped you. Blessings!


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