Week 99

Positive post Sunday, January 6, 2019- Week 99. 

What is your purpose in life?  Seems like a simple question, but if you really take time to think and pray about it, you might just find a deeper and more meaningful answer.  

I received a wonderful and thoughtful birthday gift from my daughter Heather Rendler Stinson, son in-law, Ryan Stinson and my grandchildren Sean, Chad and Aubrey, a book titled The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here For? by Rick Warren.  They say, don’t judge a book by its cover, but I find this book to be an exception.  The title is thought provoking and makes you want to open the book and see what’s inside.  

We are all at different stages in our lives, but I would suggest that at most stages many of us seek a deeper understanding of our purpose in life.  For example, if you are young, you may ask, what do I want to be when you grow up, as a young adult you might ask, what do I want to do for a living and later in life, it might be, what do I want my legacy to be?  In the first chapter, Warren notes that, although these are important questions, his book is not about your career or leadership but is deeper and about life and purpose.

Although I have only read the first 2 Chapters, it’s already clear that this gift is not simply a book, it’s what I like to call a “life gift”, a gift that will not only last a lifetime but one that helps you find meaning and purpose in your life.  Speaking of purpose, that’s the focus of the first chapter.  I have prayed and thought deep and hard on God’s plan for me and “what on earth am I here for”.   I have reflected on my Positive Post Sundays and the Triangle of Life I wrote for my children and grandchildren and generations to come.  I have prayed and thought about the influence my parents Dana and Ken Rendler and my wife Michele Rendler have had and continue to have on my life.  I have thought deeply about my kids, Heather Rendler Stinson, Stacy, Jeff, Alison Buoye and Kristy, and the influence I have had and, God willing, will continue to have on their lives.  And then there are my precious grandchildren, Kendall, Nikole, Christian, Andrew, Sean, Austin, Chad, Aubrey and Liam all of whom I adore (and #10 coming soon!).  And finally, I have given thought to my broader family, friends, fellow parishioners and colleagues at work, many of whom have made a difference in my life and hopefully mine in theirs.  Boiling this all down, it is my belief that the purpose of my life and the reason God placed me here on earth is to serve Him by helping others grow personally and spiritually through my writing, parenting, grandparenting, friendships and volunteering at church and in the community.  A responsibility I welcome and take seriously, and one that brings clarity and focus to my life.  It is my hope that by striving to live a life of faith and service to others, I will someday earn a place in eternal life.  

Now, as has been my tradition in writing these Positive Post Sundays, I ask you, what do you believe is God’s purpose for you?  What on earth are you here for?  I encourage you to pray and give this serious thought.  Finding and understanding your purpose in life can ease the burdens you may face as you navigate through your busy life and bring clarity and focus to your life.

Thank you Heather, Ryan, Sean, Chad and Aubrey for this “life gift”.

God bless!