Purpose Driven Life Day 13? All Answers

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What are the five purposes in The Purpose-Driven Life? How do you keep them all balanced?

Purposeful living is what God has planned for you. As you live out his five goals, you will experience the full life he promised. Once you have figured out how to live out each purpose, you must learn how to balance them throughout your life.

Read on to learn more about purposeful living.

Live the purposeful life

Like many people, you might feel like you’re just existing in life and going through the motions without understanding what it all means. In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren reveals the purpose of life from a Christian perspective—five purposes that God created you to fulfill: worship, unselfish fellowship, spiritual maturity, your ministry, and your mission.

When you live a purposeful life, you will begin to find meaning in every moment of your life. You will learn to see the glory of God everywhere, deepen your love for others, find the unique ministry you were created for, and prepare your character for the promise of eternal life.

The Five Purposes

Their first goal is worship – making God happy. Worship does not only take place in the church. It’s a lifestyle focused on making God happy.

The second purpose of your life is selfless love for fellow members of God’s family. God created us to be part of a spiritual family dedicated to His love and honor – as a believer you are not only His child but a sibling to all other believers past, present and future. By loving your spiritual family, you learn the fundamental skill of selfless love. Loving unselfishly is loving others even when it’s difficult—like when they’re rude, you’re uncomfortable, or they need too much of you.

The third purpose of your life is to become more like Jesus by embracing His values ​​and character. This spiritually mature character is already in you, but not yet formed.

God wants you to serve others – that’s called service, the fourth purpose of your life. The way God has planned for you to serve others is uniquely yours.

The fifth purpose is your mission. While your ministry is to minister to other believers, your mission is to minister to unbelievers. God wants you to spread word of His love, His glory, and the promise of eternal life to unbelievers through your unique mission and a common mission.

Keep everything balanced

There are four ways you can maintain balance between your goals as you experience purposeful living.

Accountability Partners: Engage in regular discussions with others about your purpose. You will understand your goals better, get new ideas for achieving them and strengthen your faith. Look around you – a good support system for purposeful living probably already exists in your community. For example, you could ask your fellowship to act as your accountability partners or meet monthly with a friend who is on the same spiritual journey as you.

Engage in regular discussions with others about your purpose. You will understand your goals better, get new ideas for achieving them and strengthen your faith. Look around you – a good support system for purposeful living probably already exists in your community. For example, you could ask your fellowship to act as your accountability partners or meet monthly with a friend who is on the same spiritual journey as you. Spiritual Check-Ins: From time to time, examine your spiritual health and honestly assess how you are doing with purposeful living – looking at the areas of worship, fellowship, character development, service and your mission. During this check-in, ask yourself questions like, “Are there areas in my life where I’m holding back from making a commitment to God?” or “Am I as honest and patient in the community as I would like others to be?” are opposite?”

From time to time, examine your spiritual health and honestly evaluate how you are doing with purposeful living—looking at worship, fellowship, character development, ministry, and your mission. During this check-in, ask yourself questions like, “Are there areas in my life where I’m holding back from making a commitment to God?” or “Am I as honest and patient in the community as I would like others to be?” journaling: Journaling is useful for both tracking your progress and growth, as well as identifying areas for improvement. Set aside regular time to write about what you did during the week, including the lessons you learned from your experience and how your actions helped you achieve your goals.

Keeping a journal is useful for tracking your progress and growth as well as identifying areas for improvement. Set aside regular time to write about what you did during the week, including the lessons you learned from your experience and how your actions helped you achieve your goals. Purposeful Living Modeling: Share your knowledge of purposeful living with others. This doesn’t just mean telling others what to do—be a living demonstration of what’s at stake. Naturally, when others look to you as a role model, you will be more careful to uphold your work in all your purposes.

The search for the meaning of life has occupied us for thousands of years. Because we usually start in the wrong place – with ourselves.

We ask egocentric questions like: What do I want to be? What am I supposed to do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams? What should my future look like?

In reality, focusing on ourselves will never reveal the purpose of our life because it is not really about us. Our purpose in life is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our wildest dreams and ambitions. We were not born for our own purpose, but for a higher purpose, a purpose that I now define as a divine purpose.

Contrary to what most of us believe today, we will not discover the meaning of our lives by looking within. We may have already tried that, I have. I always went within and in order to integrate all that I had learned over the years of training and study, I knew I had to look and reach within. I enjoyed getting to know myself and all the beauty that lived there from the inside. Finally I completed myself and became whole.

For some of us, focusing on the inside might be all we ever wanted to do. Introverted or isolated people do this. But this attitude also does not lead us to discover the meaning or purpose of our lives.

The where is the actual starting point. Imagine getting lost in a forest and learning that you can’t get where you need to be from where you are. You are told to start on the other side of the forest. The same goes for finding our purpose in life, we cannot do this by simply focusing on ourselves, nor by just looking outside of ourselves.

First and foremost, finding our higher purpose in life requires breaking free from the limitations of our ego and connecting with something bigger or higher than ourselves. Something a lot of people call mysterious or powerful, and I like to call it magic. We can call it a magical intelligence, since the term “god” seems to be out of fashion these days and often strange. Some believe this higher power exists outside of us and others within. Religions and science have played a role in alienating us from our connection to this magical intelligence.

I came to believe that our higher purpose is not found and driven from outside or within, nor by ego or it. It is simply powered by something magical that we cannot explain, something invisible and untouchable that we perceive as outside. Like the wind, we cannot see or embrace it, but we can feel it brushing against our skin. The emotional tension that we call intuition or our gut feeling.

We believe that life is about us using the divine magic for our purpose, when in reality life is the divine magic using us for their purpose. Self-help books usually offer the same predictable steps to finding our purpose in life: focus on your dreams, use your strengths, make a list of your values, set goals, dream big, believe in yourself, be self-disciplined, be resilient, never give up.

Your recommendations are all fantastic and often lead to great success, I might add. I have trained with several people who have found their purpose in life by only focusing on themselves. With enough willingness, we can achieve our personal goals, become a roaring success by societal standards, and still fall utterly short of the purpose for which we were originally born. I believe we need more than self-help advice because when we truly know our purpose, there is less we can do by focusing on being and what matters.

When I coach, I often work with clients who come to me to find their higher purpose. Often this is a search for a meaningful relationship or a successful career, so I need to help them understand that this is an ego driven purpose. Even if we plan ahead and save so that our children can attend the best universities, we have a selfish purpose. Ego driven purpose is not our purpose in life as we might think, there is another kind which is god driven purpose. This latter type of purpose is what we were born with our lives for, and you can know when you are fulfilling your God-powered purpose because things will fall into place and flow much more easily. It’s like there’s no resistance and everything conspires to help you get from A to B. This is the most effective way to differentiate between an ego driven purpose and your actual purpose in life.

I find that younger clients struggle more in the quest for that higher, God-driven purpose in life because they are still in the process of finding themselves and achieving their life goals. That is their primary focus, it is not until around the 40 year mark that people typically have the maturity, resources and stability to begin the search for their God given purpose in life.

There are a few important things we need to fix in our hearts and minds when it comes to a higher purpose:

We need to be aware that we may choose our career, spouse, hobbies, and many other parts of our lives, but we cannot truly choose our purpose. In fact, it is our purpose that chooses and pursues us. Our higher purpose must fit into a larger, cosmic purpose over which we have no control. A divine intelligence is truly in control and we are all part of that intelligence.

Questions that can help you reflect and move forward in your quest for divine purpose:

What is the meaning of my life (inside) in connection with the life of others (outside)?

In what ways have you tried to discover the meaning of your life so far? did they work?

Many turn to God/divine intelligence to discover their purpose. Have you thought about it?

After many years of searching and experiencing between different religions, cultures and spiritual paths, I have come to my own insights, which I summarize here:

There is order in the chaos of the world we live in. Therefore nothing is accidental. There is something bigger and more powerful than us humans, who created us for a reason and thus gave life a deep meaning. The way I have to discover the meaning of life day by day is to get closer to and know higher intelligence, its nature and the way it manifests and works in my daily life.

Originally published on www.elisabettafranzoso.com

The feeling of waking up with no purpose is incredibly frustrating. You look around and see that your friends and coworkers are living passionate, engaged, and meaningful lives. They have deep relationships, rewarding jobs, and a sense of direction that compels them to spring out of bed every morning.

You know that God has something good in store for you. You don’t think he intends you to live a life of painful drudgery, where every day is a total burden. After all, the Bible is crammed with passages about joy. While this doesn’t mean that every single day is a parade and a circus, it does mean that an overall sense of joy should permeate your life.

At Psalm 63:7 David said, “…for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” How can you get to this place? Where, instead of wandering aimlessly through life, you actually sing with joy (or just make a joyful noise if you’re not the singing type)?

In this post we will first talk about some key signs that indicate that you may not be living in the fullness of God’s purpose for you. Then we give some important suggestions on how you can start living a meaningful, enthusiastic and joyful life.

6 SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE LIVING FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

Before we go into this point, we must make at least one caveat. In a way, you are always living in the spirit of God. God is God and He works all things, including your life, according to His purposes. Nothing can happen unless God decrees it.

Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, God who fulfills his purpose for me.” This is the key to understanding God’s purpose for your life. God has numbered your days and will fulfill whatever purpose he has for you.

But our decisions and actions are also important. In a way, this is an enigma that we can’t fully understand, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. We can choose things that bring us more joy and give us more meaning. That’s what we’re going to do in this post. We want to help you make the choices you can make to bring more enthusiasm and God-given purpose into your life.

But first, here are 6 signs you don’t have much purpose in your life.

YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY LIVING IN SIN.

Let’s start with the obvious here. If you are blatantly disobedient to the Bible, you are not living the purpose of God, and you will certainly feel a sense of aimlessness in your life. This one is pretty easy so we won’t have to spend too much time here.

YOU LACK JOY AND EXCITEMENT.

If you wake up every day filled with apathy, anxiety, or total boredom, you’re probably not doing what you should be doing. God made you unique, has really good things planned for you, and one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). Sure you will come across difficult things that will require patience and perseverance, but overall you should have a sense of joy and excitement that fills your days, your work, and your relationships.

In his book Desiring God, John Piper says:

Seeking joy in God is not optional. It is not an “extra” that a person can grow into after coming to faith.

YOU DON’T FEEL MUCH ACCOMPLISHMENT IN LIFE.

If you pass your days with little fulfillment, you may be deviating from your God-given purpose. Fulfillment comes from doing rewarding, meaningful, and purposeful things. From a job that appeals to your skills and passions. A relationship that involves give and take. About hobbies that invigorate instead of numb. Yes, you have to do certain things that are boring and unfulfilling, but if your whole life is gray, you probably need a change.

YOU WORK SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORK.

You know the feeling of meaningless work. You go to the office, clock in, do your job, then go home and collapse in front of the TV. They work weekends and for retirement. All true joy you experience comes from things outside of work. From hobbies or friends or part-time jobs.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 says, “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry, for this will attend him in his toil through the days of his life which God subordinated to him The Sun.”

Would you say that this kind of joy characterizes your life and work? If not, you may need to reconsider where you’re going.

YOU FEEL STANDING.

If you are desperate for a change but also feel completely stuck in your life, it is almost certainly a sign that you are not walking according to God’s purpose. Those who are stuck want to go in a certain direction but don’t know how to get there. So they spin their wheels and feel endlessly frustrated but unsure how to put an end to the frustration. Do you feel trapped?

THEY HAVE NO DIRECTION.

When you don’t know God’s purpose for your life, you have a constant sense of aimlessness. You feel like you’re wandering from thing to thing without progressing. Nothing excites you and you have no concrete goals to work towards. Unlike the Israelites, who wandered for 40 years and still had a goal (the promised land), you don’t even have a goal before you.

6 WAYS TO MAINTAIN YOUR PURPOSE AGAIN

In his classic book The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a poem with the line: “Not all who wander are lost.” The same goes for you. Even if you feel like you’re wandering with no real purpose, that doesn’t mean you’re lost. You can regain your purpose and discover what God has for your life.

Here are 6 ways you can discover God’s purpose in your life.

GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.

Let’s start again with the obvious. When you feel aimless, ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it shall be given him.”

This is incredibly good news. God wants to give you a purpose. He wants to give you divine wisdom. It’s not like God is stopping you to make you miserable. He wants you to live a joyful, ambitious, and purposeful life. Ask God for a goal and expect him to give it to you.

UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD.

The primary way God speaks to us is through the Bible. This means that one of the first things you should do in your search for God’s purpose is to dig into the Scriptures. Now you won’t find verses urging you to become a dance teacher or a painter, but you will begin to understand the heart of God.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word brings light to paths that otherwise seem obscure. The Bible teaches you how to live wisely in God’s world, which is the first step to finding your purpose.

DETERMINE YOUR GIFTS AND STRENGTHS.

God has given you very specific gifts and strengths. Maybe you’re a math genius or a wise advisor. Maybe you have an electronics or business sense. Maybe you are good at organizing people and getting things done. God’s purpose for you likely includes the things you are already good at.

This is where education can be particularly valuable. When you go to college or go back to college, you can discover your gifts and then determine how you will use them. It also connects you with people who want to help you find your purpose.

DETERMINE YOUR PASSIONS.

What is particularly important to you? It really can be anything. Business, art, economics, poverty alleviation, you name it. If money were no object, what would you like to do?

Identifying your passions often helps you discover what God has called you to do. It is often said that God works at the intersection of our gifts and our passions. Where do your gifts meet your passions? That may be God’s purpose for you.

BRING OTHERS INTO YOUR LIFE.

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no leadership a people fall, but in a plenitude of counselors there is safety.” In other words, one of the most important ways God will help you find your purpose is by through others.

A caveat must be made here. Your advisors should be people you trust. Whether they are your professors, parents or friends, they must be people who have your back and want the best for you. You want wise counselors to help you find God’s purpose for you.

TAKE A LONELY RETREAT.

Sometimes it can be incredibly helpful to get away from it all and take some quiet time to think, pray, and journal. You don’t have to spend a week in the woods for this to be effective. Even just a day away from the hustle and bustle can be very rewarding.

During these retreats, allow yourself to just be still. To think about. Ask God for guidance and listen to his voice. It doesn’t have to be complicated and doesn’t require elaborate rituals. Hebrews 11:6 is a reminder that God always rewards those who seek Him. He does not hide in the dark and tries to hide his will from you. he wants to lead you

IN THE END, TRUST GOD

Trying to discover your purpose in life can be a stressful, overwhelming thing. It can seem like such a big, confusing, frustrating topic. You want to get ahead but don’t know how. You want to find your purpose, but you feel like you’re wandering aimlessly.

But you can trust that God will take you where He wants you to go. As Psalm 23:2-3 says, “He leads me to still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

You may feel confused, but God is not.

PURPOSE IN A CHRIST-CENTERED PERSPECTIVE

Our programs at PGS focus on more than just the content learned in class. It is important to us how you practice what you have learned in everyday life. Whatever your calling, our foundation brings a Christ-centered perspective.

Are you struggling to find your God-given purpose in life? If yes, you are not alone. During college, I wondered if I was wasting my life because my actions didn’t reflect a life I was too proud of. I knew what I was passionate about, but I didn’t know if following my passion aligned with God’s purpose for my life. I want to share some of the lessons I learned as I sought the help of pastors and mentors to answer this question that many philosophers have debated for centuries.

We often boast about our achievements and material possessions because we see them as significant to our lives. Click To Tweet

I must admit that I often associate my professional accomplishments with my identity, which can cause us to miss our true God-given purpose in life. (Isaiah 43:7) The right thing is to glorify God, for there is none greater worthy of trust, worship and adoration. Therefore, as Christians we must live to bring glory to God – how we do that is through prayer and study of His Word, the Bible, so that we may know better what He has for us. Here are some ways to glorify God in your everyday life.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. If you purchase the Abide meditation app through my affiliate link, you will compensate me, which helps keep this guide free for you. Know that I only recommend products and services that I have personally used and stand behind.

7 steps to finding your God-given purpose in life

1. Turn to the Bible

God left us a wealth of Bible knowledge to help us. I share knowledge revealed to me through my personal life lessons. I must admit that I don’t have all the answers, but I can direct you to the source that can help you find your God-given purpose. I believe that in order to live lives of passion and purpose, we must continue to learn who Jesus Christ is and what He says is our purpose in life. We are made in his image, so his life reflects many traits that we should try to live out on a daily basis.

👋🏾 I recommend downloading the Bible app so you can use it in times of need.

2. Pray for guidance

I often meditate and pray with the Abide app every morning to find peace and direction before I write because I believe my writing will touch someone else’s life and enable them to gain knowledge that is theirs lifestyle changed. With this assignment I assume a great burden, so I pray for the ability to articulate my words in the most helpful way. As you seek your purpose, recognize that each day we live is a gift, and ask how you can make the most of your life by living by faith, not sight.

First, according to Hope in the Heart, note that the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:10, “We are God’s work, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.” God is calling you for one purpose – to do good works – “tailored” just for you. And He gives you everything you need to fulfill that purpose.

3. Follow the will of God

In order for us to live with a God-powered purpose, you must first give up this life to gain life.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the purpose of the Lord that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

God has better plans for us than we can imagine and he does things that we may not understand but trust in his will. Through Scripture there are several ways we can live a purposeful life.

For all that is in the world – the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes and the pride of possessions – is not of the Father, but of the world. And the world passes away with its lusts, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:16-17)

If you feel you want material possessions or pride and power, take your time and think. It is useless to focus on temporary pleasures because we cannot take anything with us on our deathbed. Also, your family will most likely be by your bedside and they will love you unconditionally, not for what you have.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

4. Promises of God

Now that we understand what the will of God is for our lives, we must look at the many promises of God as we first seek the kingdom of God.

There are over 3,000 promises of God, but I would like to point out a few that relate specifically to finding your God-given purpose in life so you can experience a career that aligns with your faith.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good, not disaster, to give you a future and hope.

For I know what plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good, not disaster, to give you a future and hope. Romans 8:28-29 God works in everything for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose to be conformed to the image of his Son.

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose to be conformed to the image of his Son. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like changing shadows.

Take time to review a few verses that apply to your life and write them down and place them in different places. This can help you in your daily walk and remind you of the many promises that come from Jesus Christ.

5. Live a purposeful life

As we learn to live Christ-centered lives, we will understand how to glorify God in all things. In this way we can live a purposeful life for God.

I was lost in search of mundane things like money, power, women and status, but found them trivial because they don’t matter in the long run. I knew we all have to face death, so I decided to serve a purpose bigger than myself. We all want to leave a legacy, but I was wondering how I could do it in a way that really has an impact on the lives of others?

Rick Warren is a pastor and author who wrote The Purpose Driven Life. In it, Rick talks about God’s purpose for using our talents to do good in the world and explains God’s 5 purposes for us.

We were designed for God’s pleasure, so your first purpose is to offer genuine worship. We were organized for God’s family, so your second goal is to enjoy real fellowship. We were created to become like Christ, so your third goal is to learn true discipleship. We were formed to serve God, so your fourth purpose is to practice genuine service. We were created for a mission, so your fifth purpose is to live true evangelism.

If you want a deep understanding of God’s five purposes for us, read this TED talk by Rick Warren.

6. How to apply God’s purpose in your life

With the five purposes that God has for our lives, we can now define a single purpose that we can live out in all areas, even in our professional lives.

To live your life fully with purpose, you must choose a career you are passionate about and integrate God’s 5 Purposes into your life. Last but not least, you must ensure that you can earn money to provide for your family.

Some examples of Christians doing a good job of living purposeful lives by integrating their faith into their professional lives are:

Dave Ramsey: A financial planner who has built a massive faith-based organization teaching people the 7 Baby Steps about how to save, get out of debt, and build a future to serve others.

A financial planner who has built a massive faith-based organization teaching people the 7 Baby Steps about how to save, get out of debt, and create a future to serve others. Lecrae: A rapper who helps lead Christian hip-hop culture. Lecrae also owns his label, which consists of artists such as Andy Mineo and Trip Lee.

A rapper who helps lead Christian hip hop culture. Lecrae also owns his label, which consists of artists such as Andy Mineo and Trip Lee. Stephen Curry: A professional basketball player who was given the ability by God to shoot the ball from anywhere. More impressive than his jump shot is his ability to relate to ordinary people and share the gospel in a unique way.

A professional basketball player who was given by God the ability to shoot the ball from anywhere. More impressive than his jump shot is his ability to relate to ordinary people and share the gospel in a unique way. Michael Hyatt: A former executive turned entrepreneur who blogs, lectures and has his online class. He is an excellent example of a business person who still manages to integrate his faith into his everyday life.

You don’t have to be a preacher to share the message of Jesus. Above, I’ve shown you three ways you can do this if you’re a financial planner, musician, or athlete. Take time to think about what you enjoy doing (your passion) and how you can align it with God’s purpose in a way that can glorify God and bring you joy.

7. A personal challenge

In my life I often set goals in every area of ​​my life according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs because I am very goal-oriented and like to see progress.

This is both a blessing and a curse because sometimes I was afraid trying to achieve the goals that have been achieved by others which is a sin.

My challenge is that you live your life in a way that glorifies God but march to your drum. We are all made in his image, but each of us is unique and none of us will experience the same things in life. Dream big, pray, and then try to do God’s will.

Religion in the United States is steadily declining. So if you are reading this article, you now have a goal bigger than yourself that you can contribute to and that will make a difference.

I’m very interested in technology and believe that we can reach people online through websites, social media and other forms of online communication. Also thanks to the Internet, our initial efforts can multiply.

For example, this blog post I wrote can be read by you and hundreds of others. Consider incorporating scaling opportunities into your career choices, because then your influence and income will know no bounds.

What’s the meaning of life? Or more specifically, what gives life meaning and satisfaction? What gives us meaning? It is the fundamental question that has challenged mankind throughout the ages. Living a purposeful life is one of the most common goals in all walks of life. Finding an answer to this profound question is not easy. Many people struggle to find meaning and satisfaction in life. It doesn’t have to be. Perhaps taking the necessary steps to lead a meaningful life is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. All it takes is an effective set of strategies and an insatiable willingness to make positive changes in one’s life. Here’s what you can do to live a purposeful life filled with purpose, happiness, and contentment.

It’s relatively easy to get distracted by the ups and downs of life. Some even rush through life without ever thinking about its purpose. However, the vast majority are constantly wondering what on earth they are doing here.

More importantly, not only are they searching for the meaning of life, they are also wondering if what they are doing matters.

As humans, we strive for something that gives us meaning and purpose. It’s only natural that we constantly strive to find meaning in our lives.

Inspiration is the greatest gift because it opens many new possibilities in your life. Each day becomes more meaningful and your life is enhanced when your actions are guided by what inspires you.

Bernie Seal

Why is it so important to have purpose? The feeling that you are making a difference, that what you are doing has meaning, can have a major impact on your life. A sense of purpose can make all the difference in your life! It can help you get up every morning looking forward to the day ahead. More than that, it can help you face difficulties and overcome even the biggest obstacles that stand in your way. Having a goal will motivate you to do whatever it takes to achieve your dreams.

But what can you do to live a purposeful life? How can you cultivate a more purposeful life? The following 11 steps will help you give your life more meaning.

How to live a purposeful life

There isn’t a single guide to what you can do to make sense of it. However, research has clearly shown that there are several powerful factors that can help you find meaning in life.

The science behind the powerful benefits of having a purpose

Living a purposeful life can help you live longer, research suggests. The scientists found that those who have a purpose in life have a lower risk of dying. In short, finding meaning in one’s life promotes positive aging. Many studies confirm that purpose is an important predictor of overall life satisfaction. One of these studies found that the more purposeful one’s life appears, the better one’s well-being.

Not only that, but having a purpose in life is also associated with a lower incidence of sleep disorders. In 2013, scientists also found that having a purpose in life is significantly associated with a lower incidence of stroke. Further research has shown that having greater meaning in life can significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

11 effective tips for a purposeful life

1. Pursue your passion

Following your passion makes life worth living. It will give you meaning and give meaning to your life. Whenever you spend time achieving something you are passionate about, it will bring joy and a sense of accomplishment to your life.

When you pursue your passion, your motivation remains at a consistently high level. When you’re passionate about what you do, you can achieve better results. Besides, there’s nothing more exhausting than having to do chores you don’t like or care about. There’s a big difference between being forced to perform unpleasant tasks and finding solutions to the challenging problems that stand between you and your goals. Perhaps doing something you enjoy once in a while will help you a lot in finding a job you really enjoy.

What’s more, if you really like what you do, you’ll find it much easier to come up with innovative solutions to challenging problems. If you’re passionate about what you do, there’s not much that can stop you from being successful. Passion ignites the fire within you and helps you accelerate to new heights. In addition, it will truly fulfill you when you can reach for the stars and make positive changes in the world around you.

2. Define what is important to you

So many people wander through life not knowing what is important. Everyone may think they know what is important to them. But there’s a big difference between the importance of something that’s irrelevant/entertaining and what’s really important.

It is important for them to watch TV, eat fast food and have a lot of money. But I ask you, is watching TV and pursuing wealth really fulfilling? If your happiness level depends on the numbers in your bank account, it depends heavily on an external factor. Likewise, most people neglect to figure out what is really important in life. These people may give importance to superficial things, but purpose and meaning cannot always be derived from these activities. As a result, those who don’t define what’s truly important to them struggle to prioritize properly. Instead of doing what makes sense, they thoughtlessly waste their time.

Try to find out what is important to you. Find the activities that fulfill you and give meaning to your life. If something doesn’t give you meaning in life, it may not always be worth pursuing.

3. Helping others

It shouldn’t be too much of a secret that helping others makes you feel good. Not only is it an amazing feeling to know that you’ve helped someone live a better life, but it also brings meaning and purpose to your life. Seeing that you can make someone’s life a little easier is one of the most fulfilling things you can experience in life.

You don’t necessarily need money to help others. If you don’t have money to donate, you can also help, donate your time or just help someone get through difficult times. Whatever you do, you will quickly realize that giving to others can have a powerful impact on your own life. More specifically, serving others will give meaning to your life.

4. Focus on one thing at a time

Modern life brings a variety of difficulties for the human brain. We are inundated with streams of information, all demanding our attention. The information overload has changed the attention span of many people. As a result of this attention deficit, many are no longer able to focus their full attention on just one task.

Multitasking is our answer to the challenges that technical developments place on our attention. Most of us like it a lot, although multitasking has been shown to increase your error rate and time and again decrease your productivity.

Instead of trying to switch back and forth from one task to another, try to focus on one task at a time. Do your best to do the best job possible before working on another goal. By focusing on one thing at a time, you can focus all of your time on what really matters to you. You benefit from this not only in business life, but in all areas of life.

When you focus on what really matters to you, you can live a more meaningful life.

5. Ignore your inner critic

Sometimes your inner critic can stand between you and a purposeful life. It is the inner voice trying to protect you. And in certain situations it can be quite helpful to listen to this voice. But when it comes to living a purposeful life, the critical inner voice could keep you from doing things that give your life meaning. Instead of encouraging you to explore new and potentially meaningful ideas, your inner voice will keep you on the old and familiar path. In most cases, its purpose is to increase stability by convincing you to maintain a defensive outlook on life.

After all, purposeful living might resemble a risk that parts of you would rather avoid. Even if that means living a life without meaning or purpose.

Whenever these critical inner thoughts arise, don’t let them progress any further. Stop these negative thought patterns immediately. Don’t get drawn into any arguments with yourself. Living a purposeful life requires courage and the mental stability to keep pursuing your dreams even when difficulties arise.

6. Encourage creativity

What is it exactly that causes us to live a life without meaning? In many cases, our tendency is to be result-oriented. Instead of spending our time doing something that gives meaning and purpose to our lives, we choose the alternative that is most financially rewarding. Even if it means doing things that prevent us from living a purposeful life.

By encouraging creativity and letting things take their natural course, we will quickly discover the things that truly fulfill us.

However, this does not mean that you have to quit your job. But it does mean that you make an effort to explore new possibilities and seek activities that bring meaning to your life. There are many people who live purposeful lives by choosing the right leisure activities that provide meaning and satisfaction.

7. Have the courage to express yourself

Living a purposeful life is closely related to authenticity.

Many people struggle to find meaning in life because they don’t allow themselves to be who they really are. Instead of expressing themselves, they try to conform to other people’s definition of life. And that’s exactly the problem. They don’t allow themselves to be who they really are for fear of being rejected or criticized by others. As a result, many people are not living the life they dreamed of.

Living a life that family, friends, or society approve of doesn’t always make your life happier. It makes everyone around you happy, but not yourself.

But when it comes to living a purposeful life filled with meaning and satisfaction, freedom to express yourself and live your authentic self is critical.

8. Prioritize family and friends

Connecting with others will bring greater meaning to your life. When you are close to your family and friends, you increase the meaning of your life. In addition, scientific research has shown that family relationships are an important source of perceived meaning in life.

The results of the study underscore the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.

However, it is important to note that this does not mean that you have to live in a perfectly harmonious family. Instead, most researchers point out that the process of overcoming conflict and challenges is also very important. Not only will it help deepen the relationship with your loved ones, but it will also help increase the meaning of your life.

Even if your relationships with your family and friends aren’t perfect, you can bring deeper meaning to your life by nurturing and cherishing those bonds.

9. Be bold

Sometimes it takes quite a bit of courage to live a meaningful life. There are many obstacles to overcome on the way to a purposeful life. In some situations, we just feel way too comfortable within the confines of our comfort zone. In other situations, negative habits have prevented us from making progress.

That is why it is so important and desirable to have the courage to reach for new and fresh experiences.

Most people who live purposeful lives have had the courage to keep going outside and looking for new opportunities. They were willing to try new things and question their habits. Instead of being limited to the limits of their comfort zone, they had the courage to push those limits.

10. Know that purpose and happiness are not always linked

Many people mistakenly assume that a purposeful life will automatically make them happy. And while it’s certainly true that finding meaning in life can bring happiness, the two aren’t always connected.

There are certain differences between a happy life and a meaningful life. They can go hand in hand, but that’s not always the case. The feeling of having a meaningful life does not depend on your happiness.

Satisfying your wants and needs may make you happy, but it is absolutely irrelevant to living a purposeful life. Also, striving to live a meaningful life can come with several challenges and obstacles. There may be pain, bruising, and challenges along the way. But at the same time, a sense of purpose and meaning is fostered through the challenges that go beyond you.

11. Simplify your life

We are so busy with countless activities, tasks and commitments that we have completely lost sight of the meaning of our lives. By decluttering and simplifying your life, you can spend more time on meaningful activities.

More so, it can greatly help you relieve stress and open yourself up to you and exciting possibilities.

It’s not always that you add more to your life that helps you find meaning. But on the contrary. What are your tricks for following your life purpose with great determination?

I hope you enjoy this article on how to live a purposeful life.

Stay victorious!

Your life purpose consists of the core motivating goals of your life – the reasons you get up in the morning.

Purpose can guide life choices, influence behavior, shape goals, provide direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is coupled with calling—meaningful, rewarding work. For others, their purpose is their responsibility to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people find their purpose clearly expressed in all of these aspects of life.

The purpose will be unique for everyone; What you identify as your path may differ from others. Additionally, your purpose may actually shift and change throughout life in response to evolving priorities and fluctuations in your own experiences.

Questions that may arise when thinking about your purpose in life are:

Bestselling books of all time

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Over 8 million copies sold! Check out my book Atomic Habits. Over 8 million copies sold! Learn more

This page contains a list of the 25 best selling books of all time as well as the 25 best selling book series of all time. Best selling books are ranked by number of copies sold, not my personal rating.

It is also worth noting that some religious and political books such as The Bible, Quran, and Quotations from Chairman Mao are believed to have more than a billion copies each. However, the sales of these books are difficult to keep track of, as many are given away by churches or governments. Additionally, these books were often printed for centuries by a variety of publishers, many of whom are unreported. For these reasons, important religious and political texts are not included here, but we can all agree that they are among the best-selling books of all time.1

25 Best Selling Books of All Time

#1 – Don Quixote (500 million copies sold) 2

by Miguel de Cervantes

Print | eBook | audiobook

#2 – A Tale of Two Cities (200 million copies sold)

by Charles Dickens

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#3 – The Lord of the Rings (150 million copies sold)

by J.R.R. tolkien

Print | eBook | audiobook

#4 – The Little Prince (142 million copies sold)

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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#5 – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (107 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

Print | eBook | audiobook

#6 – And Then There Were No More (100 million copies sold)

by Agatha Christie

Print | eBook | audiobook

#7 – The Dream of the Red Chamber (100 million copies sold)

by Cao Xueqin

Print | eBook | audiobook

#8 – The Hobbit (100 million copies sold)

by J.R.R. tolkien

Print | eBook | audiobook

#9 – She: A History of Adventure (100 million copies sold)

by H. Rider Haggard

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#10 – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (85 million copies sold)

by CS Lewis

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#11 – The Da Vinci Code (80 million copies sold)

by Dan Brown

Print | eBook | audiobook

#12 – Think and Grow Rich (70 million copies sold)

by Napoleon Hill

Print | eBook | audiobook

#13 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (65 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

Print | eBook | audiobook

#14 – The Catcher in the Rye (65 million copies sold)

by J.D. Salinger

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#15 – The Alchemist (65 million copies sold)

by Paulo Coelho

Print | eBook | audiobook

#16 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (60 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

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#17 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (55 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

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#18 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (55 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

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#19 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (55 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

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#20 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (50 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

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#21 – One Hundred Years of Solitude (50 million copies sold)

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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#22 – Lolita (50 million copies sold)

by Vladimir Nabokov

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#23 – Anne of Green Gables (50 million copies sold)

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

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#24 – Charlotte’s Web (50 million copies sold)

bye b. White

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#25 – Black Beauty (50 million copies sold)

by Anna Sewell

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25 best-selling book series of all time

#1 – Harry Potter Series (450 million copies sold)

by J.K. Rowling

Print | eBook | audiobook

#2 – Goosebumps Series (300 million copies sold)

by R.L. Stein

Print | eBook

#3 – Perry Mason series (300 million copies sold)

by Erle Stanley Gardner

Print | eBook | audiobook

#4 – Berenstain Bears Series (260 million copies sold)

by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Print | eBook

#5 – Choose your own adventure series (250 million copies sold)

by different authors

To press

#6 – Sweet Valley High (250 million copies sold)

by Francine Pascal

Print | eBook

#7 – Noddy Series (200 million copies sold)

by Enid Blyton

To press

#8 – Nancy Drew Series (200 million copies sold)

by Carolyn Keene

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#9 – Thomas the Tank Engine series (200 million copies sold)

by W. Awdry

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#10 – San Antonio Series (200 million copies sold)

by Frederic Dard

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#11 – Robert Langdon series (200 million copies sold)

by Dan Brown

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#12 – The Babysitters Club (172 million copies sold)

by Anna Martin

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#13 – Star Wars Series (150 million copies sold)

by different authors

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#14 – Little Critter Series (150 million copies sold)

by Mercer Mayer

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#15 – Peter Rabbit (150 million copies sold)

by Beatrix Potter

Print | eBook | audiobook

#16 – Chicken Soup for the Soul series (130 million copies sold)

by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

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#17 – American Girl Series (120 million copies sold)

by different authors

Print | eBook

#18 – The Chronicles of Narnia Series (120 million copies sold)

by CS Lewis

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#19 – Mr. Men (120 million copies sold)

by Roger Hargreaves

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#20 – The Twilight Saga (120 million copies sold)

by Stephenie Meyer

Print | eBook | audiobook

#21 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (120 million copies sold)

by Jeff Kinney

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#22 – Clifford the Big Red Dog series (110 million copies sold)

by Norman Bridwell

Print | eBook | audiobook

#23 – James Bond 007 series (100 million copies sold)

by Ian Fleming

Print | eBook | audiobook

#24 – Martine (100 million copies sold)

by Gilbert Delahaye and Marcel Marlier

To press

#25 – Fifty Shades Trilogy (100 million copies sold)

by E.L. James

Print | eBook | audiobook

II. The best non-fiction books

These are the best nonfiction books to read sorted by category.

III. The best fiction books

These are the best fiction books to read sorted by category.

Or browse through all book recommendations.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the world with campuses in the United States and around the world. He is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, one of the best-selling non-fiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 137 languages ​​and has sold more than 50 million copies in multiple formats.

Read an excerpt

It all starts with God It’s not about you.

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even happiness. It’s way bigger than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were put on this planet, you have to start with God. You were born of his purpose and for his purpose.

The search for the meaning of life has occupied people for thousands of years. This is because we ourselves usually start from the wrong place. We ask self-centered questions like, “What do I want to be? What am I supposed to do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future?’

But focusing on ourselves will never reveal the purpose of our life. The Bible says: “It is God who directs the life of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.’

Contrary to what many popular books, films and seminars will tell you, you will not discover the meaning of your life by looking within. You’ve probably already tried that. You didn’t create yourself, so there’s no way to tell yourself what you were created for! If I gave you an invention you’ve never seen before, you wouldn’t know its purpose, and neither could the invention itself tell you. Only the creator or the user manual could reveal its purpose.

I got lost in the mountains once. When I stopped to ask directions to the campsite, I was told, “You can’t get there from here. You have to start on the other side of the mountain!’ Likewise, you cannot achieve your purpose in life by focusing on yourself first. You must begin with God your Creator. You only exist because God wants you to exist. You were made by God and for God – and until you understand that, life will make no sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, identity, meaning, purpose, meaning and destiny. Any other way leads to a dead end.

Many people try to use God for their own self-realization. They want God to be a personal “genius” serving their egocentric desires. But that is a reversal of nature and doomed to fail. You were created for God, not the other way around, and life is about letting God use you for his purposes, not using him for your own purposes. The Bible says: “Self-obsession in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a wide, free life.’

I have read many books that show ways to discover the meaning of my life. They could all be classified as “self-help” books because they approach the subject from a self-centered perspective. Self-help books usually offer the same predictable steps to finding meaning in your life: Look at your dreams. Find out what you’re good at. Clarify your values. Set some goals. Aim high. Believe you can achieve it. Be disciplined. Never give up.

Of course, these recommendations are all good and often lead to great success. Usually, if you focus on a goal, you can achieve it. But being successful and fulfilling your purpose in life are by no means the same! You could achieve all your personal goals, become a roaring success by the standards of the world, and still fall short of the purposes for which God created you. You need more than self-help advice. Jesus Christ once said, “Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to find himself, his true self.’

This booklet is not about finding the right career, making your dreams come true, or planning your life. It’s not about cramming more activity into an overloaded schedule. When you know your purpose, you can actually do less in life by focusing on what matters most. It’s about becoming what God created you to be.

How then do you discover the purpose for which you were created? You only have two choices. Your first option is speculation. This is where most of the people are. They’re just guessing or speculating or theorizing about the meaning of life. When someone says, “I’ve always thought the meaning of life is . . . ‘ they really say, ‘That’s the best guess I can come up with.’

For millennia, brilliant philosophers have debated and speculated about the meaning of life. Philosophy is an important subject and has its uses, but when it comes to determining the meaning of life, even the wisest philosophers only speculate.

dr Hugh Moorhead, a philosophy professor at Northeastern Illinois University, once wrote to 250 of the world’s best-known philosophers, scientists, writers, and intellectuals, asking each person, “What is the meaning of life?” Then he published their answers – which were quite disheartening – in a book. Some of these famous thinkers gave their best guesses, some admitted they had only made up a purpose in life, and others were honest enough to say they had no idea. In fact, some of these intellectuals asked Professor Moorhead to write back and tell them if he had discovered the meaning of life!

Fortunately, there is a better alternative to speculating about the meaning and purpose of life. The easiest way to find out the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator to explain it. The same method works to discover the meaning of your life. You can find what God, your Creator, revealed about life in His Word, the Bible. Revelation beats speculation every day.

God didn’t leave us in the dark for us to wonder and guess. He clearly revealed His five purposes for our lives through the Bible. It is our user manual explaining why we live, how life works, what to avoid and what to expect in the future. It explains what no self-help or philosophy book could ever know. “God’s wisdom. . . goes deep inside his intentions. . . . It is not the newest message, but rather the oldest – what God has chosen as the way to bring out his best in us.’

God is not only the starting point of your life; he is the source of it. To find your purpose in life, you must turn to God’s Word, not the best guesses in the world. You must base your life on unchanging, eternal truths, not the ever-changing opinions of talk shows, pop psychology fads, or success motivational seminars. The Bible says: “In Christ we find out who we are and what we live for. Long before we first heard of Christ and drew our hopes, He had his eye on us, intention for a glorious life with us, part of the overall purpose He carries out in everything and everyone.’ This verse gives us three glimpses of your destiny.

First, discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you don’t already have such a relationship, later I’ll tell you how to start one.

Second, God thought of you long before you even thought of him. His purpose for your life predates your conception. He planned it before you existed, without your intervention! You can choose your career, your spouse, your hobbies, and many other areas of your life, but you cannot choose your purpose.

Third, your life’s purpose fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God designed for eternity. That’s what this issue is about.

Andrei Bitov, a Russian writer, grew up under a government that denied the existence of God. But one desolate day, God caught his attention. He recalls: “When I was twenty-seven, riding the subway in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), I was overcome by such despair that life seemed to stop at once and the future was totally anticipated, let alone anyone Sense. Suddenly a sentence came up of its own accord: Without God, life has no meaning. I repeated it in amazement, rode up the sentence like a moving staircase, got off the subway and stepped into God’s light.”7

You may have felt in the dark about your purpose in life. Congratulations, you are about to walk into the light. Just keep reading.

Are you living a purposeful life? Is your life full of meaning, wonder and fulfillment? Are you happy?

Happiness is something we could all use a little more of, right? Day in and day out we all look for happiness in the people we surround ourselves with, the things we do, the things we buy, the places we visit and so on.

But what if I told you that happiness is not a temporary state of mind to be found between moments?

According to The Pursuit of Happiness, Aristotle believed that happiness is a goal that encompasses the entirety of one’s life. It’s not something that can be gained or lost in a few hours like pleasurable sensations.

Happiness is the ultimate value of your life as lived up to this moment and measures how well you have fulfilled your full potential as a human being.

Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?

What kind of life have you led so far? are you living your potential Are you living a purposeful life? Do you have a life plan that revolves around happiness?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your life – your love life, your career, your relationships, or even your life as a whole – I encourage you to read on.

As I mentioned before, happiness isn’t something that can be found with a quick fix — it’s something we must work toward every day by living purposeful lives.

Live a purposeful life

Ever heard of teleology? Before reading Brian Tracy’s book Goals! I didn’t read that either. Teleology is a word derived from two Greek words: telos (purpose, aim, purpose) and logos (reason, explanation).

Teleology essentially means that without a goal or purpose in life, we have no purpose or reason to exist. Without a right to exist, we have no happiness. Failure to live a purposeful life leads to feelings of emptiness, confusion, longing, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and in some cases, depression.

So, can we live a purposeful life just by setting some long-term goals? No, not exactly.

To truly live purposeful lives, we can’t just set obscure goals—we must dig deep and discover our core values ​​and beliefs, and then set meaningful goals that align with our values ​​and belief system.

Identify your values

Have you ever thought about what is important to you? What is really important to you?

This is a question many people don’t think about, but it’s difficult to live a fulfilling life when you live a life that doesn’t align with your values. For example, I value honesty, integrity, hard work and trust.

What kind of life would I lead if I kept breaking promises, avoiding work, or lying to those around me? Probably an uncomfortable one, right?

What are your values?

I encourage you to sit down and work your way through what’s important to you and try to figure out what’s most important to you.

But don’t start with a generic list

You might be tempted to look up a list of human values ​​and identify the ones that stand out to you, but I don’t recommend doing so. When you start with a list of values, you will be tempted to circle values ​​you want or values ​​you think you should have.

For example, I could search a list of 400 values ​​and see compassion or kindness and pick them because I feel like they’re important. While they may be important, they may not be my top five values.

On the other hand, I might see power and wealth and not choose them because they don’t seem to have respectable values.

It’s not about which values ​​are good or bad, but when you start out with a list your mind will try to compare them to see which are “better” and this will ultimately affect the values ​​to choose.

What is important to you?

Instead, sit down with a cup of tea and quiet music and write down what’s important in life.

Do you love spending time with family? Do you enjoy volunteering and helping people who are less fortunate? Do you like to stand up and fight for the voiceless?

Whatever it is, write it in your journal and then make a list of values ​​that come from the things you enjoy doing.

Once you’ve completed your list of values, you need to start setting goals that align with your new found values.

Set goals that align with your values

To live a purposeful life, we must live a life that has value and we must reach our full potential.

One of the worst things you can experience as you get older is the nagging feeling that you could have done more, been more, or achieved more. This is where those feelings of emptiness, confusion, dissatisfaction, and unhappiness come from.

So many of us slip through life just drifting along without thinking of our potential or purpose. If you want to live a fulfilling life, you must explore your potential, use it, and realize it.

The best way to do this is to set big goals, but make sure you set goals that align with your values. If you value family, spend as much time as possible with your family. Set goals around family time or shared goals that include your family.

If you care about the environment, do your part to save our planet. Set goals that contribute to a healthier earth, such as: For example, getting involved in local government and environmental issues or volunteering at city sanitation departments.

If you value wealth, freedom, and prosperity, set goals around your finances. Strive to be debt free, start a retirement plan, or start a part-time job.

Once you know your values ​​and what’s important to you, goal setting becomes so much easier. Your values ​​give you a new perspective to see the world and to filter and prioritize opportunities.

Filter out the noise

Opportunities are everywhere, and one of the things that keeps people from living purposeful lives is trying to do everything. Fear of missing out (FOMO) causes us to chase far too many things that are unimportant to us.

I’ve caught myself in the past doing things simply because I was afraid of falling behind or missing out—not because I appreciated the activity, the reward, or the outcome.

I see so many people around the world following Dave Ramsey’s plan of eating beans and rice to get out of debt. For a short time I thought my wife and I should try to stay debt free with Dave’s Seven Baby Steps as well. “Everyone does that! We should be too!”

We have financial goals that include saving, retirement, and reducing debt, but our values ​​of living in the present, having fun, and creating beautiful memories outweigh our values ​​of future security and prosperity.

This may seem silly, but it’s the reality, and fighting those values ​​and setting goals for things we don’t truly value makes us feel unhappy.

So what about you?

Are you chasing things that don’t matter to you? Are you setting goals that don’t align with your values?

If you want to start maximizing your lifelong happiness and living a purposeful life, take the time today to assess your values. Take time and reflect on yourself and gain clarity about who you are and what is important to you.

And remember, taking action and building momentum are keys to success in any endeavor, and that includes living a successful, purposeful life.

Act today! And until next time, take care.

Read these passages and ponder the insights they contain regarding the meaning of life as a follower of Jesus:

Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and this is not your work; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, lest any should boast. For we are what he made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for our way of life.”

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Philippians 2:1-8 Now if there is encouragement in Christ, comfort of love, participation in the Spirit, compassion and concern, then complete my joy: be of like mind, have like love, be of one accord and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but humbly regard others as better than yourself. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same spirit be in you as was in Christ Jesus, who, though in the likeness of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself by taking the likeness of a slave, by human resemblance was born into it. And when he was found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death – even death on a cross.

Luke 9:46-48: A dispute arose among them as to which of them was greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put him by his side and said to them: “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who receives me.” has sent for the least among you is the greatest.”

Philippians 3:8-11 Furthermore, I count everything as a loss because of the supreme value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have suffered the loss of all things for his sake, and count them as apostasy, that I may win Christ and be found in him, having no righteousness of my own that is of the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, which is on faith based righteousness from God. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and sharing His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death if somehow I can achieve the resurrection from the dead.

John 13:31-35 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’ll be with you just a little while longer. you will look for me; and as I said to the Jews, so I say to you now, ‘Where I go ye cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that ye love one another. As I have loved you, so should you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Colossians 3:2-17 Set your thoughts on what is above, not on what is on earth, for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, you too will be revealed with him in glory.

Therefore, kill everything earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed (which is idolatry). Because of these, the wrath of God comes upon the disobedient. These are the paths you once walked when you lived this life. But now you have to get rid of all these things – anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another when you see that you have shed the old self with its practices and clothed yourself in the new self, renewing itself in knowledge in its Creator’s image. In this renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

As God’s chosen, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Carry one another out and forgive one another when one has a grievance against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you forgive. Clothe yourselves above all with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, to which you are called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

John 15:1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it bears more fruit. You are already cleansed by the word I spoke to you. Remain in me as I remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me will be thrown away like a branch and wither; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for anything you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified in that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loved me, so have I loved you; stay in my love If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and remain in his love. I said these things to you so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be full.”

1 Peter 2:4-5: Come unto him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals, yet chosen and precious in the sight of God, and be built like living stones in a spiritual house, to admit a holy priesthood be to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.