What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be? God is far more interested in what you are than what you do. Remember, you will take your character into eternity, but not your career. Make a list of the character qualities you want to work on and develop in your life. You might begin with the fruit of the Spirit9 or the Beatitudes.10
DAY FORTY: LIVING WITH PURPOSE
Peter said, “Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love.”11 Don’t get discouraged and give up when you stumble. It takes a lifetime to build Christlike character. Paul told Timothy, “Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it.”12
What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ? Knowing your combination of spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences (SHAPE), what would be your best role in the family of God? How can you make a difference? Is there a specific group in the Body that I am shaped to serve? Paul pointed out two wonderful benefits when you fulfill your ministry: “This service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.”13
While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn’t meet the needs of everyone while on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help, based on your shape. You need to ask, “Who do I have a desire to help most?” Jesus said, “I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last.”14 Each of us bears different fruit.
What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers. Your mission statement is a part of your life purpose statement. It should include your commitment to share your testimony and the Good News with others. You should also list the life lessons and godly passions you feel God has given you to share with the world. As you grow in Christ, God may give you a special target group of people to focus on reaching. Be sure to add this to your statement.
If you are a parent, part of your mission is to raise your children to know Christ, to help them understand his purposes for their lives, and to send them out on their mission in the world. You might include Joshua’s statement in yours: “As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”15
Of course, our lives must support and validate the message we communicate. Before most unbelievers accept the Bible as credible they want to know that we are credible. That is why the Bible says. “Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.”16
What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the “one another” commands with other Christians? To which church family will you be joined as a functioning member? The more you mature, the more you will love the Body of Christ and want to sacrifice for it. The Bible says, “Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.”17 You should include an expression of your love for God’s church in your statement.
Before most unbelievers accept the Bible as credible they want to know that we are credible.
As you consider your answers to these questions, include any Scriptures that speak to you about each of these purposes. There are many in this book. It may take you weeks or months to craft your life purpose statement just the way you want it. Pray, think about it, talk with close friends, and reflect on Scripture. You may go through several rewrites before you get to your final form. Even then, you will probably make minor changes as time goes by and God gives you more insight into your own shape. If you would like to see some examples from other people, just email me (see appendix 2).
In addition to writing a detailed life purpose statement, it is also helpful to have a shorter statement or slogan that summarizes the five purposes for your life in a way that’s memorable and inspires you. Then you can remind yourself daily. Solomon advised, “It will be good to keep these things in mind so that you are ready to repeat them.”18 Here are a few examples:
“My life purpose is to worship Christ with my heart, serve him with my shape, fellowship with his family, grow like him in character, and fulfill his mission in the world so he receives glory.”
“My life purpose is to be a member of Christ’s family, a model of his character, a minister of his grace, a messenger of his word, and a magnifier of his glory.”