The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?

Warren focuses on the concept of being shaped for serving God. He contrasts the pursuit of “the good life,” characterized by material or worldly satisfaction, with “the better life,” which is defined by serving God in a manner that aligns with one’s personal passions and abilities. The core message is that ultimate fulfillment does not stem from merely living well materially, but from engaging in activities that serve God and resonate with one’s heart.

This idea is encapsulated in the prompt, “Figure out what you love to do—what God gave you a heart to do—and then do it for his glory” (237). The author encourages reflecting on personal skills and passions as tools for divine service. The emphasis is on the unique ways God works through different individuals, highlighting the diversity of talents and paths in serving God’s purposes. This is supported by the verse, “God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all,” from 1 Corinthians 12:6 (238). The driving question of how one can passionately serve others and find joy in it is present throughout, suggesting that this alignment of personal passion with service is a critical aspect of fulfilling one’s divine purpose​​.

This day is focused on recognizing and accepting one’s unique talents and limitations as sovereignly determined by God for a specific purpose. The author underscores the concept that each individual has been endowed with special abilities by Christ, intended not for personal glory but for serving others. This is exemplified by the quote, “Christ has given each of us special abilities—whatever he wants us to have out of his rich storehouse of gifts” (250).

It is stressed that these abilities are not just for making a living but are integral to one’s ministry. This aligns with the idea that God’s plan for an individual’s life includes their unique skills, as God matches calling with capabilities: “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings” (242).

Furthermore, the author introduces the concept of “SHAPE,” an acronym representing spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experience. This framework is designed to help individuals identify and understand the factors that make them unique, thereby discovering God’s will for their life. Warren emphasizes the notion that God equips individuals with what they need for their assigned tasks, portraying these abilities as a custom combination for ministry​​​​.

The key message is that individuals are most effective when they employ their unique talents in ways that best suit their inherent nature and life experiences. This notion is encapsulated in the statement, “Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be” (247).

This approach advocates for embracing and utilizing the unique blend of talents, passions, and experiences that each individual possesses, recognizing that this combination is divinely designed for a specific purpose within the broader context of serving God. It implies that success and fulfillment in one’s spiritual journey and ministry are closely linked to the authenticity and alignment of one’s actions with their God-given shape and purpose​​.

Here, the author focuses on Christian ethos of servitude as a path to greatness, contrasting it with worldly definitions of greatness. He posits that true greatness, as defined by Jesus, is measured in terms of service rather than status. He also challenges the conventional view where greatness is associated with power, possessions, prestige, and the ability to command service from others.

Warren emphasizes, “We serve God by serving others” (254), underscoring the idea that servitude is a direct expression of one’s commitment to God. This perspective is in opposition to self-serving mentalities prevalent in contemporary culture. It draws on biblical references like “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant” from Mark 10:43 and “You can tell what they are by what they do” from Matthew 7:16 to illustrate that actions reflecting servitude are indicative of one’s true nature and commitment to God’s teachings (254-55).

The importance of redefining greatness from a spiritual viewpoint is emphasized, where the measure of a person’s greatness is determined by their capacity to serve others, aligning with the teachings of Jesus Christ​​.

The transformation of mindset required to embody true servanthood in the Christian context is discussed. Warren argues that servanthood starts in the mind, as reflected in the biblical references, “My servant Caleb thinks differently and follows me completely” from Numbers 14:24 and “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself” from Philippians 2:5 (262). The importance of adopting a mindset similar to that of Christ is emphasized.

The author posits that to serve effectively, one must first establish their identity in Christ. Only those who are secure in their identity can genuinely serve others, as insecurity leads to a focus on self and a need for external validation. This is exemplified in the following passage describing Christ’s actions: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist” (266). It is concluded that genuine servanthood is not contingent on age or status but is a matter of perspective and willingness to serve.

Weaknesses are not considered hindrances but opportunities for God’s power to manifest. Warren underlines the notion that genuine leadership and influence stem from credibility and honesty, not from a facade of perfection. He references Paul’s perspective on boasting only about weaknesses to highlight God’s greatness in using such imperfections for glory. This idea is further reinforced by the verse, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness” from 2 Corinthians 12:9A (275).

The story of Jacob is also presented, illustrating how God can transform a strength into a weakness to increase reliance on Him. It suggests that God deliberately allows weaknesses in lives to demonstrate His power through individuals. This concept is echoed in the statement that God is drawn to people who acknowledge their weaknesses and that He uses imperfect, ordinary people for extraordinary tasks. The author also discusses the notion of weaknesses fostering fellowship among believers, suggesting that shared limitations enhance mutual support and compassion.