I’m kicking 2025 off with a challenge—a challenge that might possibly change my life over the next 40 days. You might think me crazy for not starting smaller, but I’d rather start something that will actually change me than something that doesn’t last, and I believe by the end of these 40 days my life will be changed for good.
A Purpose-Driven Life has changed lives across the world for many years now. Rick Warren continues to inspire to this day, and I think the impact of this book will last long after his lifetime—a legacy that will last until the end of the world.
I didn’t just pick up this book on a whim, I’d heard good things about it and had considered it for a while. One day I was in a bookshop and there it was and although I had promised myself to limit my spending this book was the one that I allowed myself to buy. Holding it in my hands felt like it was meant to be like God knew it would help me in my walk with Him.
I decided impulsively that not only was I going to do these 40 days but I was going to share my thoughts and experiences with you. Maybe it will inspire you to get the book and do the same, or perhaps just be a little encouragement that you are not as alone as you may feel. Everyone walks a different path and it can get lonely but I’m here to remind you that even though times may be challenging and things seem bleak it will not last.
So join me on this journey for the next 40 days and perhaps by the end of it my life won’t be the only one that is changed.
Day 1 – It’s All About Him
The key point of Day 1 is as the heading says – It is all about God.
He created the world then He created us. We would not exist without Him. What is the point in a life that doesn’t revolve around Him? I’m beginning to truly understand that to live is to live for Him. It doesn’t mean it’s easy but it’s certainly more worthwhile than living a life that doesn’t have a purpose.
KEY VERSE
“Everything got started in Him, and finds purpose in Him.”
Colossians 1:16 MSG
This verse in Colossians is the verse to meditate on today. This is the message translation which gets straight to the point although other translations do as well. For example:
“All things were created by Him and for Him” KJV
“All things have been created through Him and for Him” CSB
As you can see these other translations all say similarly but still have the same point. We were created by God for a purpose that only He can give us. This purpose I think I may know but I often have doubts so I’m hoping for clarification by the end of these 40 days.
THE FIVE PURPOSES
I learned that while each of us may have an individual purpose the bible speaks of five purposes that each of us have.
These purposes are:
- Worship
- Fellowship
- Discipleship
- Ministry
- Outreach
I will go into more detail on each of these five purposes now and I hope that you will find these as helpful as I did. I know I was convicted by how little I practise these in my life but now that I know I will be making a change.
WORSHIP
Worship is more than just singing a song in church that praises God. Our very lives can be an act of worship. Worship is loving God and we should be leading lives that show it. There are so many ways we can show God that we love Him. Yes going to church and attending bible studies is part of it but also being still and allowing space for God to speak to us instead of always talking at Him shows love. Looking after our health shows love, gardening shows love because we are taking care of what He has given us.
FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship is loving each other. I’m sure we all do it on some level particularly at this time of year. But a question we should ask ourselves is – do we love others as much as we should?
I know lives are busy and with so much to do it can leave little time for friends and family sometimes. Or sometimes even with a lot of time we don’t spend it with them. I know I have a habit of isolating myself but we weren’t meant to be alone. God created us to live in community with each other, to love each other. He gave us a great example of how we should live in the form of Jesus and the apostles. They spent every single day together.
Now I’m not suggesting you have to go and start seeing your friends every single day. But we can learn from the apostles and even if we don’t see people everyday we can show our love in other ways. Perhaps a simple text or call, absolutely arrange a time for meeting up in the future. But also we show love by smiling at a stranger, holding the door open for someone and by praying. I think we could all pray for others more, I know I could. Too often we pray for ourselves knowing how much we need to change, or maybe it’s a difficult time but we need to remember to pray for others too.
DISCIPLESHIP
I used to think discipleship was all about mentoring which it can be but really it’s about growth. Growing in God. This is really important for us to become spiritually mature.
Growing in God happens in different ways but the biggest is through the Bible. God’s Word is living and active, the Holy Spirit uses it to transform us. Spending time in God’s Word is a good thing but we do need to be careful about it. Not just because if we take it out of context we misunderstand it but because if we just read it we’re not taking it in. When we open up our bibles it is a good habit to pray first that we might understand it and take delight in it. I think that after we read the verses we need to get into the habit of meditating on it.
Sometimes we rush through our time with God and I think this year all of us should make it a habit to dedicate time to God without distractions. Time where we can actually absorb what we read in the correct context and then dig deeper to understand if it is something we need to apply in our lives or if it is something we need to remember about God’s character. God truly is in every page.
Now spiritual maturity will be different for everyone, you may have reached it already. But if you want to know if you are spiritually mature a good sign is if you are able to teach others about the bible instead of just being taught. Basically if others are learning from you whether it’s through teaching or simply the way you live you are likely spiritually mature.
MINISTRY
Serving God is the definition of ministry and we do it by serving others. Many call ministry the role of a pastor or leader in a church.
But there is much more to ministry, we are all called to ministry. We are all called to serve others in many different ways. Some become influencers, others volunteer for charity. It can be as simple as doing yard work for someone who is less able. There are countless ways to serve and honestly no excuse. Yet it is something we could all be better at.
Ministry helps us leave this world a better place. It gives us the opportunity to use the skills God has given us for good. God created us for a purpose and what better purpose is there than to serve.
A good mindset to have comes in the form of this question – What can I give back to God for the blessings He has given me?
God has given so much and if serving Him means serving others then we need to consider what we can do or give in gratitude of that for His glory.
OUTREACH
The last of the five purposes is the only one that we will not do when we get to Heaven. There will be no need of it. Whether you call it outreach, evangelism, sharing the gospel the purpose is the same – to communicate God’s love to all people.
Perhaps it is the most important for the very reason that God wants us to share His love with the world so that as many people can be saved as possible. Salvation is the greatest gift we can give to anyone. It is up to us to be witnesses of God’s goodness, to testify the ways we have seen Him move and to confirm the promises He speaks of in the bible. It is up to us to be living examples, walking testimonies, to shine brightly for God in a world that seeks to turn away from Him.
These five purposes are the biggest takeaway from day 1 of The Purpose Driven Life. They will also have a great impact on the world when wholeheartedly in action. I will be doing my best to improve them in my life. I hope you will too. But the most important thing to remember is that life is for God, it’s about Him.
He should be involved in every area not just parts. God wants to be the centre of our lives. We know this because it says the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength. That means living with Him and for Him, not just whenever we feel like it. It may be hard but it will be worth it.
When problems come our way instead of asking why? Start asking what? What do you want to teach me? What do you want me to learn? See how your mindset shifts and how it invites God into your life more. I’ll be doing the same.
I hope this post has challenged you to get closer to God and dig deeper into His Word. I also hope that it has inspired you to make God a priority in your life. If you want to follow the rest of my journey through 40 days of purpose. Sign up to the mailing list so you’ll be notified or follow me on social media.
Wholeheartedly Faithul 
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