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What is a purpose-driven life?

I am definitely looking forward to watching THE DA VINCI CODE movie, which is based on Dan Brown's novel that says that everything the Catholic church has said is a lie. The novel, which is an anti-Christ thing in disguise, captured my attention. This is the only fiction (anchored on facts?) that I read twice from cover to cover.

Then, a couple of days ago, my co-faculty gave me a copy of THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE by Rick Warren. It is only this afternoon that I attempted to read some passages from the book. This wasn't the first time that I read this book. In fact, I once borrowed the same book from the same colleague a few years ago.

This book just made me feel bad about my faith. The book, as I have always observed, reveals a self-centered GOD. In the first place, I couldn't find any description or clarification of who GOD is. My God may not be the god being referred to in this book. Or the book's god may be a stranger to me.

Here are some passages from the book that made me doubt the book's god:

YOU EXIST ONLY BECAUSE GOD WILLS THAT YOU EXIST. YOU WERE MADE BY GOD AND FOR GOD -- AND UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, LIFE WILL NEVER MAKE SENSE.

Then on page 20 the author said:

You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Forgive me if I don't understand the connection. The book has no explanation of who God is and who Jesus Christ is. Or maybe I wasn't just looking hard enough. Or I am too stupid not to know.

On page 21 the author said:

God was thinking of you long before you ever thought about him. His purpose for your life predates your conception. He planned it before you existed, without your input! You may choose your career, your spouse, your hobbies, and many other parts of your life, but you don't get to choose your purpose.

So why else am I here on Earth?

You see, I am living my life for my family now. Does it mean I am not serving any purpose for doing so? Does GOD just want us to serve him? Adore him? Do everything for Him? Then why else do we our own brain cells? Why were we created rational?

I don't get it. GOD, for sure, isn't selfish. But that is not what this book is saying.

On page 63 of the book, you'll find this: YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GOD'S PLEASURE. What does this suppose to mean?
Maybe I need to attend Christian Formation classes.
I need enlightenment. O r perhaps, there are people who need to think more than read more of this type of book. Whatever...


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