The Rest of your Life
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.
Click on the image below to play the video in YouTube (HD)
Mary Schmich’s graduation speech, known as “Wear Sunscreen”, popularized in the Baz Luhrmann video above, 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.”
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.
Postkiwi Duncan Macleod posts on life, faith and culture in Australia, drawing from his involvement in the creative industry, the Uniting Church, the blogosphere, generational research, the emerging church and life on the Gold Coast.
