{"id":48472,"date":"2021-09-01T17:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T21:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=48472"},"modified":"2021-09-14T10:17:07","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T14:17:07","slug":"gods-purpose-for-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/gods-purpose-for-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"The 6 Reasons to Embrace God\u2019s Purpose for Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What is God\u2019s purpose for your life? Why should you embrace it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/fulfill-gods-purpose-for-your-life\/\">fulfilling God\u2019s purpose<\/a> for your life is central to your existence. <em>The Purpose Driven Life<\/em> author Rick Warren shares six reasons why you should embrace God&#8217;s purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn why you should accept God\u2019s purpose for your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Embracing God\u2019s Purpose for Your Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this first week of your journey, we\u2019ll explore six reasons that explain why you should accept and live for God\u2019s purpose for your life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It\u2019s not about you.&nbsp;<\/li><li>You\u2019re here for a reason.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Being driven by purpose creates peace.&nbsp;<\/li><li>There is a life beyond this.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Life is a test and a responsibility.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Everything is by and for God.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Revisit these reasons for a regular reminder of the larger meaning of your life, what\u2019s to be gained by serving God, and bolster your dedication to your purposes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #1: It\u2019s Not About You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Bible reveals that your life\u2019s meaning isn\u2019t actually about <em>you<\/em>. <\/strong>Everything in your life comes back to God\u2014your origins, your significance, your identity, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/your-life-purpose\/\">your purpose<\/a>. Your life isn\u2019t about fulfilling <em>your<\/em> purposes. It\u2019s about fulfilling God\u2019s.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As God\u2019s Word, this is an eternal truth. <em>This<\/em> is what your life should be built on, not speculation about what you or others think the truth <em>might<\/em> be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>For example, many people (and self-help books) make the mistake of thinking that \u201csuccess\u201d is the true <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/what-gives-your-life-meaning\/\">meaning of life<\/a>, but being successful and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/fulfill-your-purpose\/\">fulfilling your purpose<\/a> aren\u2019t the same thing. By following an assumed truth rather than eternal truths, you may be missing out on the greater purpose of your time on earth.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-find-your-identity\/\">find your identity<\/a> and meaning by guessing at the truth. <strong>It\u2019s only by following God and accepting God\u2019s purpose for your life that you\u2019ll find your life\u2019s <em>true<\/em> meaning.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #2: You\u2019re Here for a Reason&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You didn\u2019t randomly come into existence\u2014God imagined and created you long before you were born. There\u2019s a reason behind <em>every single aspect<\/em> of you and your life, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Your race, physical features, talents, and personality<\/li><li>Where you were born and where you\u2019ve lived<\/li><li>When you were born, and when you\u2019ll die<\/li><li>The role of your parents in your life, and the quality of their parenting<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Give Thanks by Accepting God\u2019s Purpose for Your Life<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your existence is an extraordinary <\/strong><strong><em>gift. <\/em><\/strong>As the essence of love and a part of the Trinity\u2019s perfect companionship, God doesn\u2019t necessarily need company.<strong> <\/strong>He created you purely out of a desire to express his love.<strong> <\/strong>And he didn\u2019t stop there\u2014God loves us and values us above all other creations. To show this, he created a perfect home for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Biologists and scientists have repeatedly discovered ways that earth is suited <em>exactly <\/em>to human needs. Some scientists claim that the only explanation for this is that the cosmos was specifically designed to support human life.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s impossible not to feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the work and love that God\u2019s put into your life. <strong>You\u2019ll never be able to repay him for what he\u2019s done for you, but you can express your gratitude by putting God and his purposes at the center of your life. <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #3: Being Driven by Purpose Creates Peace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone has different motivations driving their lives\u2014these motivations can be <em>external<\/em> factors like problems or pressure, <em>emotional<\/em> factors like anxiety or fear, or <em>moral<\/em> factors like values and beliefs. <strong>When you\u2019re driven by the wrong motivators, you can\u2019t experience peace in your life. <\/strong>Unfortunately, many people are driven by five common \u201cwrong\u201d motivators:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Guilt: <\/strong>When you\u2019re motivated by guilt, you\u2019re controlled by your past and often sabotage your success without realizing it. Your life centers on running away from feelings of shame or regret.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>Resentment: <\/strong>When you\u2019re motivated by resentment, you hold onto wrongdoings and let them continue to hurt you, instead of forgiving and letting go. This will cause you to either withdraw and internalize anger, or lash out and spread anger\u2014both actions that damage your relationships.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>Fear: <\/strong>When you\u2019re motivated by fear\u2014which can come from anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, controlling parents, and so on\u2014you spend your life sticking to the status quo and avoiding any possibility of failure. This holds you back significantly because it\u2019s in trying new things or failing that you experience growth and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-overcome-your-fears\/\">overcome your fears<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>Materialism: <\/strong>When you\u2019re motivated by materialism, you put wealth and material possessions at the center of your life, often with the belief that they\u2019ll make you happier, more important, and more secure. However, wealth won\u2019t make you feel happier or more important\u2014only a solid, positive perception of your self-worth can do that. Furthermore, wealth is <em>never<\/em> secure. For any number of reasons, you can easily lose all of your wealth instantly.<\/li><li><strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/need-for-approval\/\">need for approval<\/a>: <\/strong>When you\u2019re motivated by a need for approval, you worry what others might think about you and your choices, and you believe that doing what others want will prevent criticism and judgment. In this way, you let <em>others<\/em>\u2014such as friends, your parents, or your spouse\u2014direct your life.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #4: There Is Life Beyond This<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Earth isn\u2019t your forever home\u2014you\u2019re just a tourist passing through. However, many Christians seem to believe that their true homes and their true lives are here on earth. <strong>It\u2019s crucial that you remember that the true \u201cyou\u201d is in eternity, where you originated and where you\u2019ll one day return. <\/strong>There\u2019s no <em>exact<\/em> report of what\u2019s waiting for you in eternity or what it will look like\u2014it\u2019s far beyond what the human imagination can understand. However, you can turn to the Bible to learn about the splendors of God\u2019s kingdom and how you might expect to be rewarded for your faithfulness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You\u2019ll see your lost loved ones again.&nbsp;<\/li><li>You\u2019ll be free of any pain or suffering you might have experienced on earth.&nbsp;<\/li><li>You&#8217;ll be given work that you truly enjoy performing for eternity.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why It\u2019s Important to Think More About Death<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-conquer-the-fear-of-death\/\">fear death<\/a> or think of it as something strange or unjust. You may think this is because of a desire for immortality\u2014a desire for your life on earth to last forever. <strong>It\u2019s actually because God designed us to have an eternal afterlife. This inherent knowledge of eternal living gives us a feeling that death is somehow \u201cunfair\u201d or \u201cunnatural.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, knowledge of eternal living should mean that death <em>isn\u2019t <\/em>too frightening or morbid to think about. <strong>In fact, you should be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/thinking-about-death\/\">thinking about death<\/a> and eternity <\/strong><strong><em>more<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u2014it can significantly reduce the stress in your life.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Thoughts of Eternity Reduce Stress<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Purpose-driven living erases the frightening aspect of death\u2014fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life ensures that you\u2019ll receive the promise of eternal life. <strong>You have nothing to worry about or feel uncertain about because you already know what\u2019s next.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting comfortable with the thought of eternity and frequently reflecting on it touches every aspect of your life in a positive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It reveals how unimportant small, everyday issues really are. You can move on from them quickly and focus on more eternal goals and issues.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Thinking about what does and doesn\u2019t matter in eternity helps you determine how to react to different challenges and situations.&nbsp;<\/li><li>You realize that harm or suffering that may happen, though it may be scary or painful, <em>is only temporary.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li><li>You spend your money and your time in more fulfilling, prudent ways instead of wasting it on temporary or sinful pleasures.&nbsp;<\/li><li>You prioritize what\u2019s <em>truly <\/em>valuable\u2014you realize that wealth and accomplishments can\u2019t be taken with you into eternity, so you focus on your character and your relationships.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #5: Life Is a Test and a Responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask yourself, \u201cHow do I picture my life?\u201d Your response, the <em>life metaphor<\/em> that comes to mind, reveals everything about you\u2014what\u2019s important to you, what you expect from your life, your attitude toward your circumstances, your motivations, and so on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>For example, if you say, \u201cMy life is a whirlwind,\u201d you probably view life as fast and confusing, and feel that you\u2019re not fully enjoying moments as they pass you by. If you say, \u201cLife is a battle,\u201d you may think life is difficult and full of struggle, and that there\u2019s a way to \u201cwin\u201d or \u201close\u201d at life.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The way you view your life affects everything in it: your relationships, the way you spend time or money, your values, your goals, and so on. <strong>Accepting God\u2019s purpose for your life allows you to reframe the way you see your life: The Bible tells us that life is a <em>test<\/em> and life is a <em>responsibility<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life Is a Test<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>God will test you throughout your life by putting conflicts, problems, changes, and success in your way. These situations are meant to challenge your faith, character, love, loyalty, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/you-cant-know-everything\/\">You can\u2019t know everything<\/a> that God will test you with, but if you look to the Bible you\u2019ll see that tragedies, unanswered prayers, undeserved hurt, and significant changes are all ways that God has tested believers. <strong>God gives you these tests because your response to them will both <\/strong><strong><em>develop you <\/em><\/strong><strong>and <\/strong><strong><em>reveal you<\/em><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>For example, you might respond to a challenging diagnosis by praying for guidance and reading Scripture\u2014<em>developing<\/em> your faith\u2014while refusing to blame or be angry at God\u2014<em>revealing<\/em> your loyalty.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019re Being Tested Even When You Can\u2019t Feel God&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>God is <\/strong><strong><em>especially<\/em><\/strong><strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-pay-attention\/\">paying attention<\/a> to how you respond to tests when you can\u2019t feel his presence. God often feels absent in two instances:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Difficult circumstances: <\/strong>It\u2019s easy to feel God\u2019s presence when things are going well for you. It\u2019s much harder to feel him when things get hard\u2014it feels as if he may have forgotten you or abandoned you. The truest test of faith is continuing to feel God and trust him even when you encounter immense challenges.<\/li><li><strong>Small, insignificant moments: <\/strong>It\u2019s easy to feel God in large, important events and situations. It\u2019s much harder to realize that he\u2019s in <em>everything<\/em>, no matter how small or unimportant. Knowing that everything in your life has been put there as a test reveals that every moment of your life is significant and contributes to the development of your character. &nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Life Is a Responsibility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As the creator, God is the true owner of everything on earth but as an expression of his love, he <em>entrusted<\/em> all his gifts to you during your time on earth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>These gifts come in all forms: your particular talents, the natural world, your relationships, the events you experience, and so on.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re expected to take care of everything God\u2019s given you, to the best of your ability. This is called <em>stewardship<\/em>, and it\u2019s some of your life\u2019s most important work because it reveals how responsible you are. At the end of your life, God will examine each of the gifts he gave you and determine how well you took care of or used it. If he finds you to be a responsible steward of his gifts, you\u2019ll receive three eternal rewards: God\u2019s affirmation, important and interesting eternal responsibilities, and celebration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reason #6: Everything Is by and for God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything in the universe was made by God to demonstrate his <em>essence<\/em>, his <em>presence<\/em>, his <em>power,<\/em> and his <em>love. <\/em>Each thing in the world around you reflects his glory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>For example, think about the amazing and flawless design of the human body, microscopic forms of life, and seasons, just to name a few.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the gifts he\u2019s given us, God has expressed his glory in many amazing ways over the years\u2014such as creating Jesus and allowing him to die for our sins, and appearing as a burning bush to Moses and giving him the Ten Commandments. There\u2019s no possible way for us to <em>enhance<\/em> God\u2019s glory\u2014it\u2019s the most powerful, brilliant, complete thing in the universe.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instead, we express our gratitude for all that God has given us by <\/strong><strong><em>showing<\/em><\/strong><strong> his glory. <\/strong>God\u2019s glory is seen every time one of his creations fulfills the purpose he gave it. He assigned humans <em>five <\/em>purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Worship&nbsp;<\/li><li>Unselfish fellowship<\/li><li>Spiritual maturity&nbsp;<\/li><li>Your ministry<\/li><li>Your mission&nbsp;<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It\u2019s in fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life that you express your gratitude to God and succeed in showing his glory. <\/strong>Through this summary, we\u2019ll explore each of these purposes\u2014looking at how they show up in your life, how you can dedicate yourself to them, and how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/believe-you-can-succeed\/\">you can succeed<\/a> in fulfilling your purpose-driven life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is God\u2019s purpose for your life? Why should you embrace it? Understanding and fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life is central to your existence. The Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren shares six reasons why you should embrace God&#8217;s purpose. Read on to learn why you should accept God\u2019s purpose for your life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":48481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,42,6],"tags":[488],"class_list":["post-48472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-motivation","category-spiritual","tag-the-purpose-driven-life","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The 6 Reasons to Embrace God\u2019s Purpose for Your Life - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding and fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life is central to your existence. Here are six reasons why you should embrace it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/gods-purpose-for-your-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 6 Reasons to Embrace God\u2019s Purpose for Your Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understanding and fulfilling God\u2019s purpose for your life is central to your existence. 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