3. Life of Purpose
Points to Ponder:
We’ve touched the last two weeks on original value and the importance of understanding our value from God’s viewpoint, not from a self-centered viewpoint.
We’ve probably all asked the question, “What is my purpose?” However, we often seek our answer centered on ourselves: “What do I want to be? What are my goals, my dreams? What do I want to do with my life?” Focusing on myself, however, cannot reveal my life purpose.
If we are to understand the purpose of our lives we must begin with God; because our lives began with God. Since we didn’t create ourselves, we can’t find our life’s meaning by simply looking within ourselves. In fact, we could reach all our personal goals, and be successful by the world’s standards but still miss the purpose for which we were created.
The purpose of my life is much greater than just my own personal fulfillment or happiness; greater than my career or wildest ambitions.
We could spend a lifetime speculating or guessing at what our purpose is. Or we could ask the Parent who created us.
Divine Principle further elaborates that we can’t experience joy or fulfillment without fulfilling our purpose. We understand that our original purpose comes from our Creator, our Heavenly Parent. God created us to experience joy through fulfilling the three great blessings. Essentially, the three blessings outline a life of love. First, filial love in relation with God, then family and the four realms of heart, and then our unique contribution to our world community.
Each of us discovers how we uniquely fulfill the three blessings in our own lives. We strive for maturity in heart and character, lasting love in our families, and to discover our unique mission in life. All these experiences result in a joy that comes from connecting to something much bigger than myself.
Our time on earth is our opportunity to expand our heart and learn to love. As we come to understand our value as God’s sons and daughters, we cultivate a heart of filial piety, one that returns gratitude and love to God, to True Parents, and our own parents. Recognizing the foundation we stand on and the task entrusted to us, we discover the unique gift we have to contribute. This brings clarity to our actions, choices, and direction in life, and a confidence that God can work powerfully through us to develop a culture of heart.
Discussion questions for before/after the reading:
- What’s helped you in your life to cultivate a sense of purpose/mission/destiny?
- Name 3 of the most important things you feel called to accomplish in your life?
- Have you ever had an experience where you got a sense/epiphany of what your calling is in life?
Quotes:
“Why are you born? To be responsible for true love. Only in true love can you find true value. Nothing else, not money, possessions, power of knowledge is of value.” – The Way of Tradition II, 222
“God is the Absolute Being, but He also absolutely needs love. God also exists because of love. He lives for love. Each human being was born to embody the internal quality of one of God’s dual characteristics.” – CSG Book 1, (166-206, 1987.06.07)
“Everything in the world will eventually pass. The parents we love, the husband or wife we love, and the children we love will all pass away. All that remains with us at the end of our lives is death. When a person dies, only his legacy remains. Please consider for a moment what you can do to show that you lived a life of value. The possessions and social position you have accumulated during your life will pass away from you. Once you cross the river of death, such things will have no meaning. Because we were born in love and lived our lives in love, love is also the only thing that remains with us when we are in our graves. We receive our lives in love, live by sharing love, and return into the midst of love. It is important that we live our lives in a way that we can leave a legacy of love behind us.” – A Peace Loving Global Citizen, 235
“…Make a determination to use [your] talents to help the world rather than just serve themselves. Many young people today seem to be studying just for its own sake. Unless you have a purpose in life, your studies will lack the passion needed for happiness. – A Peace Loving Global Citizen, 328
“To set your objective is to give meaning to the life you will lead… Your goals should be about where your talents can have the most impact. So you should think of the world as your stage as you decide what you want to do in life. If you do, you will likely find many more things to do than what you were originally dreaming about. You have only one life to live, so use it to do something that the world needs. You cannot reach the hidden treasure on an island without adventure. Please think beyond your own country, and think of the world as your stage in setting your goal.” – A Peace Loving Global Citizen, 331
“You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans. ” -Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” -Proverbs 20:5
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” -Billy Graham
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” -Romans 8:28
Application:
This week we invite you to take some time to reflect further on 3 of the most important things you feel called to accomplish in your life? How are you investing your time and energy right now to contribute to achieving those goals?
We invite you to share your reflections and experiences below!