Lately, I have received many emails about the importance of finding purpose. LifeQuest Couples Coaching is all about helping couples discover, then make choices based upon, their unique God-given design as individuals and as a couple. I am always eager to see what others are saying on this topic. So…I conducted a Google search regarding answers to these important questions:
“What is life purpose?” And, “Why is life purpose important?”
And it turns out lots of people are talking about purpose. Here are some of the Google answers I found:
The University of Minnesota has a website dedicated to helping students “enhance their wellbeing.” At www.takingcharge.csh.umn we read, “Your life purpose consists of the central motivating aims of your life—the reasons you get up in the morning. Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful satisfying work.” Parts of this definition ring true, but as a follower of Christ, I don’t need to create meaning on my own. My life was given meaning when Jesus died on the cross to atone for my unholiness. So my life is all about seeking ways to honor Him.
Google also offered a fascinating quote from Robert Byrne—“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Wow. Sounds like he’s a deep thinker. In digging deeper I discovered that Robert has sold 500,00 copies of his book. The title of the book? Byrne’s Standard Book of Pool and Billiards. Yes, Mr. Byrne is in the Billiard Hall of Fame. He’s probably a delightful person, but I’m not sure he’s someone I would seek for wisdom regarding the purpose of life.
Another Google quote that caught my eye was in answer to someone’s question, “What is the purpose of a man?” Charles Sledge’s answer, as quoted by Google, is, “…to become the absolute strongest that he can be in all facets. To meet every day fighting and becoming better in some way shape or form.” Mr. Sledge has written such interesting books as, How to Become the Man You Were Destined to Be in 21 Days and Tribal Writings—Essays on Tribalism, Masculinity and Strength. Hmmmm. My view is that God wants us to humbly bring Him our weaknesses and sins, allowing Him to transform us into Christlike believers as we stay close to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. What a relief to not have to pretend we are stronger than we really are!
So, what differentiates a Christian search for purpose and a non-believer’s search? I believe that if self-actualization and being strong are our goals, we are missing God’s plan. According to the Westminster Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Beyond that, we are each given the privilege of seeking God to discover our unique strengths and ways He wants to redeem even our most painful experiences. That’s what LifeQuest Couples Coaching is all about—seeking individual and couple purpose in the context of the amazing way God has designed each of us. Only then will we begin to comprehend our true identity. Our lifelong goal is to glorify Him, not ourselves.
Here are some of our favorite authors that dig into purpose:
- L. Burgis – Unrepeatable, 2018
- Larry Crabb – The Marriage Builder, 1992
- Jimmy Evans – Strength-Based Marriage, 2016
- Tony Evans – Kingdom Marriage, 2016
- Dave Jewitt – Your One Degree, 2014
- Timothy Keller – The Meaning of Marriage, 2011
- Rick Warren – Purpose Driven Life, 2002
