..::*+ Small Talk +*::..
I am already at the 2nd last chapter of the book. Yet I haven’t decided a new book to read. It is time to choose?
I am currently planning something to do during my holidays before I go back. I want to learn XML and change this blog to be uniquely mine. I also plan for 2nd time of The Purpose Driven Life and continue to read my Bible. I am considering maybe to place more time for God.
Well, I should be worrying about my coming exams first, no? Next Thursday will be my first paper. Pray for me.
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Day 39: Balancing your life
Pentathlon is an event in the summer Olympics. The game consists 5 sub-events: pistol shooting, fencing, horseback riding, running, and swimming. Participants must succeed in all five of the challenge. In the same way, our 5 purposes of life should be in balance. We need all the 5 components. But actually, it can be summed up by the Great Commandment and Great Commission of Jesus.
1. Love God with all your heart. We were planned for God’s pleasure. Our purpose, therefore, is to love God through worship.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself. We were shaped for serving, and this can be done through ministry.
3. Go and make disciples. We were told to share God’s message through evangelism.
4. Baptize them into… We were formed for God’s family, so our purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.
5. Teach them to do all things… We were created to be like Christ, and we can grow to maturity through discipleship.
Well, come to think of it, it is quite hard for a balanced of these 5 purposes. The reason is simple:
We all tend to overemphasize the purposes we feel more passionate about and neglect the others.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
But it’s not a big problem; it can be solved. The question is: How?
1. Talk it through with a spiritual partner or small group. It is the best way to learn more about this book.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
It means we can be better when we learn in a group. Having a group to discuss what you have read will give the members to share about real life examples, feedbacks, opinions etc. Through discussion we will remember more easily what we have learned. It can also support and encourage each other to have the will to read the book as how you have promised. And this applies also not just creating a Purpose Driven Life study group, but also a Bible study group. Read the Scriptures more.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
2. Give yourself a regular spiritual check-up. It is the best way to balance all the five purposes of life. We were even told in the Scriptures more than 5 times to test and evaluate our own spiritual health.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5
It is the same as when you want to maintain your physical health – you need regular medical check-ups. In your spiritual health, you need constant check on 5 vital signs of worship, fellowship, growth in character, ministry and mission.
Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40
3. Write down your progress in a journal. It is the best way to reinforce your progress in fulfilling God’s purposes for your life.
[It is] a record of the life lessons you don’t want to forget.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through your fingertips.
Dawson Trotman
In Bible there are some examples when God asked His people to keep a spiritual journal. And be reminded too: Bible itself is also a spiritual journal from God’s people.
At Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey.
Numbers 33:2
Unlike Moses’, our spiritual journal might not be read by everyone. But life is a journey, and it deserves a journal.
As David did, record your doubts, fears, and struggles with God.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
So don’t just write happy stuffs in the journal. Rather do as how David had done.
Whenever problems occur, remember that God uses them to fulfill all five purposes in your life.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
Every problem and obstacle in life is purpose-driven. And let these happy-not events be testimonies of how God helped you to fulfill your purposes on earth:
Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.
Psalm 102:18
4. Pass on what you know to others. It is the best way to learn more in growing. Those who pass along what they know get more from God. Be generous to refresh others.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
It is our responsibility to tell others what we have understood about the purpose of life. Paul said:
“Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others.
2 Timothy 2:2 Contemporary English Version
God wants us to use our knowledge to help others. In fact it was written:
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
James 4:17
And
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:6
It is all for God’s glory
The night before Jesus was crucified, He prayed to His Father and said that the Father’s work has completed. He had not die for our sins, so what was the “work”? Jesus told His Father what He did for the past 3 years: Preparing and help his disciples to live for God’s purposes. He Himself modeled a purpose-driven life, and He taught His followers how to live it too. This was the “work” that He meant. And we are told to continue His work.
This is what purpose-driven living is all about. Regardless of your age, the rest of your life can be the best of your life, and you can start living on purpose today.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
Vincent
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