It's Not About You

How often have you heard someone say that? As babies we know it’s all about us. Someone else is always handy to feed, clothe, carry, change, and love me. I am indeed the center of the universe—at least that part of it that I know about. Like Leonardo DiCaprio standing on the prow of the Titanic in the movie, I can cry confidently, “I’m the king of the world.”

Then one day I had to grow up and discover that it’s not really about me. The year 1968 was a pivotal year for me, as well as for the United States. Viet Nam, the killings of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, and riots in multiple cities all made it clear that I was insignificant compared to the global events making the news each day.

These events, and others in my personal life, led me to write a poem entitled “Age of Innocence” with this final line: “It’s passed, that age of innocence. It has been replaced by responsibility.”

Growing older I’ve realized that the phrase “It’s not about you” involves more than the replacement of an innocent age with adult responsibilities. It also involves the purpose for my life. Why am I here? Why is there a Rudy Antle in the world instead of no Rudy Antle?

Your answer to this question for yourself can change your life too. You may have already answered the question of the purpose for your life, and you can encourage others who are still looking for an answer. For all of us this week, let's see how Rick Warren approaches the subject in "The Purpose Driven Life".

Read chapter 1 of “The Purpose Driven Life” or the booklet, “What On Earth Am I Here For?” and answer the questions below; then come back and post your own comments or respond to someone else’s posted comments.

When Rick Warren says “It’s not about you, It all starts with God”, you might ask, “What’s not about me? What starts with God?”. The answer, of course is the purpose for your life.

Question 1: What is the value of “Self-help books”, and what are their limitations?

Question 2: In speaking about finding your purpose, Warren says “Revelation beats speculation any day”. What’s he talking about, and do you agree with him?

Question 3: On page 9 of “What on Earth…” Warren says “He (God) has clearly revealed his five purposes for our lives through the Bible.” First we’re asked about finding our purpose in life, then he says there are five purposes. Anybody else feeling overwhelmed here?

Question 4: Warren also says on page 9, “First, you discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Have you ever heard anything like that before? Why would he say that? Do you agree with him? Why?

Question 5: Here is the “Point to Ponder” from page 11: “If there were no God, and everything was a result of random chance, there would be no purpose to our life. It all starts with God.”

a. That’s quite a statement. Do you agree with it?

b. The random chance statement brings to mind the question of our origins (i.e. your origin).

Read this interview in Christianity Today magazine online with Lee Strobel (the reporter who wrote “The Case For Christ” and other books), then reflect on your own beliefs about creation, Creationism, Darwinism, Intelligent Design, and other perspectives on how life on Earth, the planet Earth itself, and the universe got here.

What’s important for this study is: whatever position you take on how you got here, what does your position tell you about why you are here?

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