Chapter 3 – Part 3: What Drives Your Life
Living with Purpose
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. Many of us live lives like little kids in a toy store who can pick any toy they want but may only have one. They get frustrated with so many choices. They run from one toy to another getting more and more frustrated. Adults without purpose are often the same way, flitting from one life choice to another never satisfied. As Rick Warren writes in this chapter,
“Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you, base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.”
Before I found my purpose, I made choices based upon my feelings at the time. I had no core values or purpose. But, when I found my core values and my purpose I simplified my life greatly. If a decision was to be make it had to fit my core values, the Rotary 4 Way Test. Then it had to fit my life’s purpose family, assisting veterans and motivating young people.
Knowing your purpose focuses your life. My purpose helps not only to simplify my life’s choices, but it focuses me on achieving my life’s purpose. Focusing on only those things that fit my purpose keeps me from bouncing around like the character Tigger in Winnie the Pooh. Focus helps to keep me from being distracted by extraneous things not related to my life’s purpose. This is not to say that everything has to be focused on life’s purpose but that when considering a life choice, purpose and core value need consideration. Lastly a focused life, especially one focused on others and not self has impact and leaves a very positive legacy. What kind of a legacy do you want to leave?
Knowing your purpose motivates your life. Having a purpose in life means being dedicated to something bigger than yourself. It means having a reason for living, for being, for working, for sacrificing yourself. I fight the dragon of PTSD every day, having a reason, and purpose keeps me motivated to keep beating the dragon every time he rears his ugly head. My work is more important than me. My purpose is more important than how I feel at any given time. I can be used up because of PTSD, and other negative things or I can be used up for a cause, a purpose that is greater than my troubles.
Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. The best thing about having a Purpose Driven Life is that we will leave an eternal legacy. Rather than pleasing people who are at best fickle we work for a God who remembers for eternity. The Bible tells us that one day each of us will have to give an accounting for our actions here on earth. The first question God will ask will be what did you do with his Son, Jesus the Christ. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through him. The next thing will be what we did with the life He gave us.
What will you answer?
Author
Sgt. Allen Lynch
Allen Lynch is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.Live With Purpose. Find Help When Needed.