Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. Westminster Confession of Faith

The Problem

• Achieving goals becomes an unrelated string of hollow victories, increasingly frustrating as more and more is achieved.
• The problem with goals is that you have to keep setting new ones because achieving them doesn't provide lasting satisfaction.
• The fleeting satisfaction of a met goal begs the question, "Is there something bigger for my life than the routine of setting and meeting goals?"

Identity Versus Purpose

• Identity answers the question, "Who am I?" We derive identity from understanding our relationship with God.
• Purpose answers the question, "Why do I exist?" The only purposes that will survive are the ones linked to God.

Goals Versus Purpose

• Goals are near-term; whether or not they can be met can be determined.
• Purpose reflects our examination of life's larger meaning.
• Goals are what we do. Purpose is why we do what we do.

Eternal Purpose Versus Earthly Purpose

• God's eternal purpose for us is to seek His kingdom, by which we enjoy Him forever.
• His earthly purpose for us is to seek His righteousness, by which we glorify Him.

Earthly Purpose

• There is a sense in which all men are alike, God gives all men the same universal earthly purpose:
  • What we are to be (character).
  • What we are to do (conduct).
• There is a sense in which each of us is unique, God gives each of us a specific call on our lives -- personal earthly purpose. A Life Purpose Statement encompasses what you discover as God's personal earthly purpose for your life.

Assignment

Begin to sketch out a purpose statement for your life.