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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780802441959 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Moody Publishers |
| Publication date: | 10/01/2000 |
| Series: | Books for Women by Women about Life Issues Series |
| Edition description: | New Edition |
| Pages: | 208 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Living Life on Purpose
Discovering God's Best for your Life
By Lysa TerKeurst
Moody Publishers
Copyright © 2000 Lysa TerKeurstAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8024-4195-9
CHAPTER 1
WHAT WILL A LIFE PLAN DO FOR ME?
Do you ever feel as though you just don't have enough time? There is no changing the fact that there are sixty minutes in an hour, twenty-four hours in a day, and seven days in a week. However, in this age of dot-com everything, time rarely stands still. We have instant messages, instant dinners, instant coffee, and even instant grits. You can shop on-line, make friends on-line, and even take classes on-line with a virtual teacher. Kids are expected to grow up faster, the highway speed limit signs now allow us to drive faster, and everyone seems to have bought into the notion that faster is better. But is it?
Think about all we are doing. We wake up to alarm clocks. We run our errands. We get stuck in rush-hour traffic. We now meet friends in chat rooms and keep up with each other through voice-mail and Email. It's no wonder many of us start our days with a cereal appropriately named Cheerios; otherwise we might all go Grape-Nuts!
I'm not sure when all of this struck me. Maybe it was right after I drove off and left my groceries in the store parking lot. Or maybe it was the day I wore two completely different shoes and never noticed it until a friend was brave enough to tell me. Let's face it, we are all busy, but I just can't buy into the notion that we don't have time to do things that are really important. Take exercise, for example. All of us know we need to do it. We know the benefits, both physical and mental. Yet, the number one excuse people have for not exercising is lack of time. Another example is prayer. It's our direct connection to the God of the Universe, who longs to spend time with each of us, and yet we find ourselves too busy. I am just as guilty as anyone. What's the solution? I think it's found in writing out a plan and scheduling time to make it happen.
Have you ever noticed how focused you are and how much more you get accomplished right before you leave to go on a vacation? Why do you seem to be more energetic and focused? Why are you able to get a lot done in a short period of time? It's because you develop a plan with a goal in mind. Incidentally, did you know that most people give more thought and planning for vacations than planning their lives? Wouldn't it be great if you could live your life with that same passion and focus? Wouldn't it be awesome to have a plan that would enable you to get more accomplished during your day, meet your goals, realize your dreams, and live in peace knowing that you are living out the purpose for which you were created? For me, a Life Plan did this and much more.
A Life Plan Helps Add Value to My Life
Saint Augustine said, "People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the circular motion of the stars—and they pass by themselves without wondering." A Life Plan will enable you to wonder at one of God's most amazing creations: you. You are a unique creation of God and He says you are wonderfully made. Your life is worth living on purpose! Developing your own Life Plan will help you ponder your purpose, discover your dreams, go for your goals, and realize firsthand that God has good things in store for you. It will help you organize priorities according to your purpose and put a value on the tasks you are spending your life accomplishing. The small investment of time that it takes you to develop and maintain this plan will pale in comparison to the amount of time you will gain. You will feel motivated to make every minute count as you get excited about where you are headed.
A Life Plan Helps Me See Life from an Eternal Perspective
Having a Life Plan has helped me to keep my focus where it needs to be. I can see the eternal significance of spending time with my Lord, loving my husband, caring for my children, being a keeper of my home, using my resources wisely, developing godly friendships, and reaching out to others. Then on those days when I start doubting whether or not I'm doing the right thing, I can look at my plan and get a quick reminder that there is an eternal perspective to be kept. When I cringe at how much baby-sitters cost, I remember how important my marriage is and consider the money spent a wise investment. Instead of looking at the diaper pail full of dirty diapers and seeing trash, I see a child whose physical needs have been met. When I'm cooking meals that I know will quickly be consumed and forgotten, I think about the value of family conversation and the lifelong memories made around our dinner table. You see, I am much more than a housekeeper, nanny, wife, friend, cook, chauffeur, decorator, businesswoman, family historian, events coordinator, coach, lover, exterminator, nurse, counselor, teacher, and personal playmate. I am a woman with a purpose, who has been created by God to fulfill a special calling. No one else is as uniquely qualified to fulfill my purpose as I am.
A Life Plan Helps Me Move Past My Mistakes
I wish you and I could sit down over lunch and share a heart-to-heart "girl talk." Since we may never get that chance, I want to share something from my heart with you. Every woman has messed up at some point in her life and done things she regrets. I used to think I was the only one with secrets from my past. This was Satan's bondage in my life and it made me think I could never be used of God. You see, I made a terrible mistake before I was married, and I got pregnant. I was terrified for anyone to find out because I knew all too well the sting of rejection. So I chose to go to an abortion clinic and ask for help. They told me that the procedure would be quick and that I would never have to think about this problem again. I bought their lie, and I have regretted it every day since. I long for that child and grieve over my tragic decision. Hardly a day goes by—even after all these years—that I don't think about it. However, God has set me free from the shame.
For me, answering the fundamental questions of life in my Life Plan helped me realize that I am not defined by my sin but rather by who God created me to be. I share this with you because I want you to know the hope that I have found. John 8:32 says, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." My friend, I pray that as you seek to develop your Life Plan, God's truth about who you are and how much He wants to use you for His glory will help set you free. I don't know what the circumstances of your life are, but I do know that nothing puts you beyond God's ability to forgive, heal, and restore.
A Life Plan Helps Me to See My Potential
A Life Plan helps bridge the gap between where I am today and where I want to see myself in the future. It gives me a place to start and helps reduce my regrets by measuring the progress I am making. I don't want to be complacent and give up hope of reaching my potential. I want to wake up every morning knowing that I am one step closer to hearing my Master say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." A Life Plan gives me a tangible reference point to remind me of the wonderful potential I have as a child of the King. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." As a child of God, I have His power working in me, which increases my potential beyond my wildest dreams and highest hopes.
A Life Plan Serves as a Filter for My Decisions
A well-thought-out and prayed-through Life Plan serves as a filter that helps keep my focus where it needs to be when decisions must be made. I can ask myself, "According to my Life Plan, is this opportunity something that will help me fulfill my purpose? Does it make sense in light of how God has equipped me? Does it conflict with any of the principles I'm committed to living my life by? Is this the right season of my life to participate in this particular activity?" Just because something sounds like a worthy cause does not mean it is part of God's plan for me. There are and always will be thousands of good opportunities, but I am not searching for the good—I'm after God's best. I only have one shot at this thing called life, and it's worth it to give my best efforts.
A Life Plan Helps Point Me in the Right Direction
Whether you are married or single, with children or without, extroverted or introverted, rich or poor, young or old—you are a woman with a purpose and you were created by God for a divine reason. The key is to develop a plan clearly stating your foundation, purpose, mission, ministry, stage of life, and the principles by which you want to live. You will have your goals written down as well as the action steps and schedule that need to be implemented to insure your success. Then you will be headed down the right path and able to walk in confidence, knowing you have sought God and it is He who is directing you.
A Life Plan Will Help Me to Be Able to Give an Account on the Day of Judgment
First Corinthians 3:13 (LB) says, "There is going to come a time of testing at Christ's Judgment Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone's work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished." Verses 14 and 15 (NIV) go on to say, "If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." We will all be asked to give an account on the Day of Judgment of the life God entrusted us with. How sad it would be for God to ask what we did with our lives and for us to have no idea. Having a Life Plan will help you focus your efforts, make the most of the time you're given, and live according to God's purpose. Then you will hear your heavenly Father speak words that the heart of every one of His children longs to hear, "You did well, my child, with what I gave you and I am pleased."
A Life Plan Helps Me Rest in My Father's Arms
In the midst of all the craziness that sometimes surrounds us in life, there is a peaceful place to which we should often run. A place where we can find unconditional love. A place strong enough to hold any problem we are facing and gentle enough to wipe away our tears. This place is our Father's arms. Because our Life Plans will be bathed in prayer, based on God's Word, and filled with thoughts the Holy Spirit reveals to us, we will be able to rest in the fact that these plans are not our own. They will be what God chooses to reveal to you. It is because of His mercy and grace that we are able to do any of the things we write. Please do not ever think that these "works" are a way to earn salvation or your Father's love. Salvation is a free gift, and God's love is not based on what you do, but rather in the simple fact that you are His child. As His child, it should be your desire to please Him by being obedient to the Father's call to fulfill His divine purpose for you. Having a Life Plan will help you discover your purpose, live every area of your life according to this purpose, and rest in the fact that you are honoring God with your life.
* * *
These are just a few of the many ways you will benefit from developing a Life Plan. The best way to see how wonderful it could be for you is to simply get started and experience the benefits yourself. I remember the fear that I had when my husband first uttered the words Life Plan. It caused the same fear and panic I felt when I heard my OB doctor say the words give birth. All I could think of was pain and how much I try to avoid pain at all costs. Then I had a brilliant idea. Why hadn't women thought of this before? I asked him if he could please put me to sleep and wake me up when the baby was about five or so. Let's just skip the labor, the sleepless nights, the terrible twos, the first trip to the emergency room for stitches, the everything is "No!" phase, and start this motherhood thing around the time of kindergarten. Needless to say, I was awake for it all—and you know what? I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything. Just like giving birth, the labor to develop your Life Plan may not seem appealing but the end result will be nothing short of wonderful.
Just so you can have a picture of where we will be headed from here, I've diagrammed the process we will be going through to develop your Life Plan (excluding this chapter).
Section 1. Understanding the Fundamental Questions of Life
Chapter 2: The Fundamentals of a Life Plan
Chapter 3: My Foundation: "Who Am I?"
Chapter 4: My Purpose: "Why Do I Exist?"
Chapter 5: My Mission: "What Am I to Do?"
Chapter 6: My Ministry: "Where Am I to Serve?"
Chapter 7: My Stages of Life: "When Am I to Do These Things?"
Chapter 8: My Principles: "How Am I to Live Out My Day-to-Day Life?"
During chapters 3–8 we will be writing Fundamental Life Statements that will answer the life questions and lay the groundwork for writing the rest of our Life Plan in Section 2.
Section 2. Live Every Area of My Living on Purpose
Chapter 9: Finding P.U.R.P.O.S.E. in Each of My Principles.
Chapter 10: The Holy Pursuit: Finding My Purpose as a Child of God
Chapter 11: Making the Most of My Marriage: Finding My Purpose as a Wife
Chapter 12: The High Calling of Motherhood: Finding My Purpose as a Mother
Chapter 13: There's No Place Like Home: Finding My Purpose as a Keeper of the Home
Chapter 14: Time and Money: Finding My Purpose as a Faithful Steward
Chapter 15: The Gift of Godly Friendships: Finding My Purpose as a Godly Friend
Chapter 16: Reaching Out: Finding My Purpose as a Servant
Chapter 17: Let God Do Amazing Things with Your Life
* * *
Working on Your Journal
Throughout both sections of this book, we will be interacting with the companion workbook, The Life Planning Journal for Women. If you have this journal, you will benefit from the additional questions for a quick review of each chapter as well as plenty of space to journal and create your Life Plan. You will enjoy the ease of being able to record your prayers, thoughts, and plans on the beautifully designed pages. This easy-to-use journal will be an invaluable tool as you seek to apply what is discussed in Living Life on Purpose.
If you did not purchase The Life Planning Journal for Women, you will want to buy a three-ring binder and refer to the back of this book in Appendix A for directions on setting up you own journal. If you are making your own journal, transfer the questions given at the end of each chapter to that notebook and spend some time recording your answers.
Take time now to work on Section 1, Part 1, of your journal. Once you have completed your work in the journal, continue your reading by going on to chapter 2, "The Fundamentals of a Life Plan."
Questions to Consider in Your Journal
1. Have you ever stopped to wonder at the amazing way God has created you? Write down ten wonderful things about yourself. Don't let this be difficult. If you have a hard time, ask God to reveal the things He would have you write down.
2. Write out a prayer of thanksgiving to God for creating you as His special child.
3. God says you are wonderfully made. Journal your thoughts.
4. Choose three ways that a Life Plan could change your life from those listed in chapter 1 and journal how each could impact you personally.
5. What do you hope to accomplish through this study?
CHAPTER 2THE FUNDAMENTALS OF A LIFE PLAN
I was speaking at a retreat once where we played an interesting ice breaker game. As we walked into the registration room a mysterious sign was placed on our backs. We were told that we had just been assigned a new "famous" identity and that it was our job to figure out who we were based on the comments of others. Just for the sake of having a little fun, let's play. See if you can guess who you are by the following clues:
• People love you. (Mother Teresa?)
• You are very funny. (Erma Bombeck?)
• You have a handsome husband. (Whoever is married to Harrison Ford?)
• You are a little spacey. (Cindy Lauper?)
Well, even if you have not guessed who you are, I'm sure you've had a BALL playing the game (hint, hint). Yes, you are Lucille Ball.
For many of us, we are playing the very same game every day of our lives, never guessing the name on our back is our very own. In search of the who, what, when, where, why, and how answers in life, we seek to discover ourselves, but get lost in the process. I think life would be a lot easier if we all carried cards with us that listed the answers to all these questions about ourselves. Then we could cut through all the small talk and move right to the business of getting to know one another. OK, that is a bit extreme, but it does bring out an interesting point. If you were required to carry such a card, would you know how to fill it out? Can you answer these questions?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst. Copyright © 2000 Lysa TerKeurst. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Understanding The Fundamental Questions Of Life1. What Will a Life Plan Do for Me?2. The Fundamentals of a Life Plan3. My Foundation: "Who Am I?"4. My Purpose: "Why Do I Exist?"5. My Mission: "What Am I to do?"6. My Ministry: "Where Am I to Serve?"7. My Stages of Life: "When Am I to Do These Things?"8. My Principles: "How Am I to Live Out My Day-to-day Life?"Section 2: Living Every Area Of My Life On Purpose9. Finding P.U.R.P.O.S.E. in Each of My principles10. The Holy Pursuit: Finding My Purpose as a Child of God11. Making the Most of My Marriage: Finding My Purpose as a Wife12. The High Calling of Motherhood: Finding My Purpose as a Mother13. There's No Place Like Home: Finding My Purpose as a Keeper of the Home14. Time and Money: Finding My Purpose as a Faithful Steward15. The Gift of Godly Friendships: Finding My Purpose as a Godly Friend16. Reaching Out: Finding My Purpose as a Servant17. Let God Do Amazing Things with Your LifeWhat People are Saying About This
For too many of us 21st century women, life is like that wheel in the hamster's cage. It goes round and round but doesn't really go anywhere at all. Living Life on Purpose is the perfect resource to help Christian women rediscover the 'purposefullness' of living a life designed by the One who has such wonderful plans for us. By the time you are finished reading Lysa's book, you won't be running around in circles but rather you will be running with zeal that race set before you!-Janet Parshall, Nationally Syndicated Talk Show HostLysa TerKeurst provides the framework to develop a life purpose plan that is biblically based. She walks you through the process in a way that is easy to understand using examples from her own life.-Dennis Rainey, Executive Director, Family LifeLysa is able to balance her spiritual pursuits and not forget the reality of being a wife and mom. She offers a fresh approach to setting goals and purposes to one's life. Her lifetime experience adds humor and realism to this book. The reader will be encouraged as she reads this book.-Emilie Barnes, Author, SpeakerWith humor and solid advice, Lysa helps us find balance and sanity in this crazy wonderful world of womanhood.-Becky Freeman, Author, SpeakerAs women, we are called to serve the Lord and others by finding our purpose. Lysa's book and journal will release women from the frustration of not having a plan or a track to run on. Lysa herself went from a life that lacked purpose and direction to one of fulfilling a purpose. She went from unorganized to organized, from frustration to enjoyment in the most precious aspects of life—that of a homemaker, wife, mother, and head of The Proverbs 30 Ministry. I highly recommend this book to women of all ages.-Sally Meredith, Co-author of Two Becoming One, Vice President of Christian Family Life