Rick Warren says most of the time we Christians are answering the wrong questions. Bottom line, the central question for ourselves and the world should be, "What on earth am I here for?" In other words, what is the purpose for my life?

The writer of Ecclesiastes describes three negative effects of not knowing the purpose of your life:

• Life seems tiresome, a treadmill that doesn't go anywhere;
• Life seems unfulfilling, with nothing new and satisfying;
• Life seems uncontrollable; we can't change what's crooked.

We have two options. We can make up our own purpose to life, perhaps by throwing ourselves into our work or a hobby. Or we can seek to discover what God created us for. To do so, we must begin with God. When we know God's purpose for us:

• Life has focus, with incredible power, like a laser;
• Life is simpler; we have time to do what God designed us for;
• Life has motivation; we see need, which increases determination;
• Life is but preparation for eternity, a short prelude to forever!

Pastor Warren says, when our time on earth is over, God will ask us two questions:

1. "What did you do with my son Jesus Christ?"
2. "What did you do with your life?"

Let's face it, God did not need to create us. He chose to create you and me and everyone else for His own pleasure. Warren says, "You exist for His benefit, His glory, His purpose, and His delight."

Everything starts with God, not with us. Therefore, to find our purpose in life we must begin with worship. Many misunderstand worship, thinking only in terms of Sunday services or their favorite church music. While worship may include these things, God expects a lot more. He created us for a relationship, not a religion.

When asked about this, Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment is, "Love God with your entire being." Real worship consists of a lifestyle of loving God in every way possible.

1. To worship, we must dedicate ourselves to God, recognizing that worship is voluntary - like all acts of love -- but nonetheless complete only when we are committed fully to God's purposes;
2. To worship, we must learn the principle of insulation from the world even while we are moving into it to spread the Gospel. We are not meant to isolate ourselves from the world.
3. Worship applies the principal of metamorphosis. Worship has the power to transform us from ugly to beautiful. Seeing God's greatness shrinks our problems and allows us to soar.

Today's busyness makes it difficult for a family or a church group to sit down and eat together. But close relations don't happen just because people are in the same room together - it takes intention to share ourselves and listen to others. It is significant that the early church spent time in meals together.

It's easy to discuss these ideas. The hard part comes when we try to get together to practice "fellowship." There may not be one time perfect for everyone to practice authenticity, courtesy, mutuality, hospitality and unity, but finding a time is well worth the effort. Our diverse groups (young/old, male/female, single/married, black/white) are unified by our being part of God's family, wanting to understand our purpose on earth, and wanting to love one another as He has loved us.

The Christian life is a partnership. We work out, like an athlete develops the body God has given him or her; God works in us, energizing us and enabling us to achieve His good purposes.

God uses three tools to help us become more like Jesus:

We also make three choices that determine whether we become more like Jesus:

Tension develops when you try to act like a Christian without thinking God's thoughts. Are you trying to produce good fruit without God's power flowing through you? Use God's three tools and focus on the choices you can make about the way you live your life. Stay in Scripture, depend on the Spirit, and remember Who is in control!

You were put on earth to serve others, the fourth purpose for which you were created. When asked to explain, Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan. The story illustrates three attitudes people can have toward people in need. The first is to keep a distance, to not be bothered, to avoid relationships. The second is to be curious, but not involved like those that slow down when passing an auto accident. The third is to treat others how you would want to be treated if you were in the same situation. That is what the Samaritan did, and that is what Christians should do.

Rick Warren gives four guidelines for us to follow:

Kindness and service always cost. The good Samaritan received nothing in exchange for putting himself at risk, for using his wine and oil, for walking when he could have ridden, and for paying the bill at the inn. He did it, Jesus implies, because his heart was right and he loved.

Both believers and unbelievers have needs. Service to believers is called ministry. Service to unbelievers is called evangelism. In either case, our ministry is based upon the SHAPE God has given us:

• Spiritual gifts - special God-empowered abilities for serving Him;
• Heart - what we love to do, our passion;
• Abilities - natural talents you were born with;
• Personality - introvert or extrovert, thinker or feeler, likes routine or variety;
• Experience - family, educational, vocational, spiritual, ministry, and painful.

No matter what SHAPE you're in, you should be looking for ways to help those in need.

So who are you going to tell? Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Just as someone brought the Good News of Jesus to you, God now wants you to share it with others. You don’t have to be perfect, spiritually mature, or a Bible scholar. All you have to know is that Jesus has made a difference in your life. You were made for the mission of reaching others for Jesus Christ. Get to it.