Day 7. The Reason for Everything
The week began with “It’s not about you.” It ends with “It’s all for him.” That’s our journey isn’t it? From self to submission. It’s difficult. Life is difficult. Things, small "g" gods, materialism, self-preservation, temptation and more get in the way.
Great stories have been written about this journey. George Lucas may have done as well as any with his “Star Wars” series. Hans Solo, hero, yes, sacrificing, yes; but when Leia proclaims her love for him, he says, “I know.” God proclaims his love for us. What do we often say? Luke Skywalker, under the tutelage of great mentors, is the hope of the world, yet impatient, reluctant to place himself in submission to a higher power. Where do we often find ourselves?
Then there is “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” Jesus calling self-absorbed (who will sit at your right and left in the kingdom?) followers, meeting a narcissistic Saul on the road to Damascus, and transforming them into Saint Peters and Saint Pauls who changed the world for Him—all for Him. We are here because the Story is true, the path is certain, the Guide is faithful, the journey is at hand.
Rick Warren is starting us on our journey with each step bringing glory to God (It’s all for Him.). Purpose One, “Planned for God’s pleasure,” calls us to live a life of worship that is transforming. Eugene Peterson describes it as God developing “well-formed maturity in us” (Romans 12:2, The Message). Wesley would call it “On to Christian Perfection,” learning to love God, our neighbors, ourselves and to take on the mind of Christ—life-long journeys. Both would agree that it is God, it is grace, that transforms us.
Purpose Two: “Formed for God’s Family” continues the process to love our neighbors as ourselves and to become part of the body of Christ so that with Purpose Three, “Created to become like Christ,” we become disciples for the purpose of transforming the world through Purpose Four, “Shaped for Serving God,” and Purpose Five, “Made for Mission.” The Purpose Driven Life works together like a five-pointed star rather than five sequentially blinking individual points of light.
The Purpose Driven Life is a journey that with grace moves us from an existance about us to a life about Him—all for Him who is "The Reason for Everything." What a wonderful journey!
Grace for the journey,
Rick
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2 comments:
Rick:
For me, this sermon was the best so far in your excellent Lenten series. I really liked the stories & illustrations, even Grandpa’s pickled herring!
In the first few chapters of his book, Rick Warren has not written enough about serving those in need. In your blog you referred to the suggested disciplines from John Wesley. I would add that John & Charles Wesley and their small but amazing circle of Christians helped those in debtor prison on a weekly basis. And they did other notable works of charity.
I believe that one of the most effective ways for finding real purpose in life for many Christians in today’s world of relatively constant good health and material comfort is to get “uncomfortably” close to people with real problems and to work side-by-side with other Christians to help fix some of those needs. The life & writings of Henri Nouwen (from another Lenten study program I am in) have helped me remember this reliable pathway to God’s pleasure.
Charlie
Charlie,
I appreciate the sermon feedback (for readers, “Planned For God’s Pleasure,” 2/10/08).
I thought too about service as worship. I even thought about including Wesley's "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." I was just running out of space, and decided that would be covered in Purpose Four. As I pointed out in today’s bog, Warren’s purposes are more like a five pointed star than sequentially blinking lights. I think too that Warren's mission to mobilize the Christian world to address the problems of AIDS and poverty in Africa also shows the broadening of his purpose and I will be able to show that in the messages on service and mission. But good feedback.
Your comment about working along side those in need is pointedly addressed as "Risk-taking Missions and Service" in Bishop Schnase’s book "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations." Of course, individual service flows into the practices of the church, and likewise the preparation of the members flows from the church. We are the Church.
Rick
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