A Real Pilgrim's Progress: A Purpose Driven Life

A Purpose Driven Life Chapter 29 - Shaped for Serving God

Chapter Overview: Rick makes the point that there are no more or less important people in gods service with an analogy about light fixtures. He wrote that the most important light in his house isn't the grand chandelier in the dining room but the small night light that keeps him from stubbing his foot at night.

2011 (40 years old)

Why should we have the desire and goal to be transformed into the image of Jesus? So we can love and serve people as he did. I read a chapter like that and I start getting 'extreme' ideas about how I could serve. Playing guitar and singing during lunch in the +15 in downtown Calgary, for example. Then I remember Rom 12:2 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will know (and/or can prove) what is the good and acceptable will of God' and how does one renew their mind? Wash it with the water of the word - I don't remember the reference for that one. I had a dream last night that someone wanted to sell me 1000 acres of land for 92k. I jumped at it in my dream. But really, money and possessions are meaningless to God when he has unlimited resources. They are more tools that he uses to help us grow.

2016 (45 years old)

Chandelier - big light, but not nearly as useful or used as a night light

Accepting your assignment. You were put on the earth to make a contribution. Service is not optional. 'For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10. What is holding me back from God's call to serve him? This is a great question. One I have to be careful how I answer. My initial knee-jerk reaction is to answer 'my wife and family'. But then that would ignore a purpose of God that Rick doesn't really talk about in this book - we were created to have a wife, kids, and raise a healthy family. 'Be fruitful and multiply'. That is part of my service to God. I do not believe it is all about the church as he sees it (or at least as it seems to come across in this chapter). In the back of my mind all through reading this chapter are the discussions I've had with Ewa about involvement with the church, playing in a band, playing at the school, playing at the hospital, doing the small group, etc. Every one of them not easy. In particular right now is the gig I turned down with Grace Revolution this weekend. It's easy to feel like I missed God when I declined that offer after reading this chapter. But there needs to be a balance, and I don't see much of that in this chapter. I liked his quote from Mother Theresa: 'Holy living consists of doing God's work with a smile'. Also the comparison of the chandelier vs. the night light. Small vs. big... but the night light tends to be used much more often and have more value. I think the story of the two seas is relevant as well - the Sea of Galilee has life because it has water flowing in and out. The Dead Sea has no life because water just flows in.

For background on what these 'Purpose Driven Life' posts are about, click this link.

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 1 - Its Not About Me

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 2 - You Are Not an Accident

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 3 - What Drives You?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 4 - Eternity In Our Hearts

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 5 - What is Life?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 6 - Life on Earth is a Temporary Assignment

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 7 - The Reason for Everything

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 8 - You Were Planned for God's Pleasure

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 9 - What Makes God Smile?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 10 - The Surrendered Life

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 11 - Friend of God

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 12 - Friend of God II