Day 3 (Chapter 3) Review Of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE?
Everyone’s life is driven by something. The question is: what is the driving force of your life?
Rick Warren delves into the often invisible forces that drive people’s lives. He highlights five primary drivers—guilt, resentment and anger, fear, materialism, and the need for approval—and explores how they shape people’s decisions, relationships, and ultimately their destiny. These forces all lead to the same dead end: unused potential, unnecessary stress and an unfulfilled life. Instead, a purpose driven life - a life guided, controlled and directed by God’s purpose is what we should pursue.
Reflection
This chapter prompted deep introspection for me. I started to think carefully about what has truly driven my decisions in the past and now. Was it guilt from past mistakes, the fear of failing, or a constant need to prove myself to others? I have been on these three tables in the past and I can tell how unrewarding it was. The section on fear especially resonated—how often I’ve hesitated because I feared being judged or rejected.
Rick Warren’s encouragement to let go of pain through forgiveness and to embrace God’s love and purpose is not only comforting but empowering. It reminded me that no worldly possession, approval, or emotional wound should be in the driver’s seat of my life.
What stood out the most was the truth that you cannot please everyone, it’s not possible. You will only fail if you try to please everyone. Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss Gods purposes for your life.
Some Food for Thought from Chapter 3
Here are some impactful quotes from the chapter that are worth meditating on:
“Resentment always hurts you more than the person you resent.”
“Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be.”
“You are not your valuables. Your value is not determined by your valuables.”
“Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God’s purposes for your life.”
“Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life. Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning.”
Rick Warren ends this chapter with five powerful benefits of living a life rooted in God’s purpose:
Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life. Without purpose, life feels pointless. Purpose brings clarity and significance.
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you should and shouldn’t do. It helps prioritize what matters most.
Knowing your purpose focuses your life. With a clear target, your energy isn’t scattered. You concentrate on what counts.
Knowing your purpose motivates your life. Purpose gives you a reason to get up in the morning and stay committed even when it’s hard.
Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Life is a preparation ground for eternity, and how you live now impacts what happens after this life.
The chapter ends with two eternal questions God will ask us:
What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?
What did you do with what I gave you?
Ability to answer these questions is the goal of this book. So don’t get tired, let’s ride along together.
Share your thoughts with me, I’d love to read them. See you in day 4 ❤️