How to Live for a Purpose Bigger Than Yourself

There is a lie that I believed
The more that I got, the more I’d be free…
So I’ve been away, making the green
See, the more that I get, the more that I need…
So pray for my, pray for my, pray for my soul
I got a, caught a disease, and it’s gold
Caught it so easy like the common cold,
Tossing and tossing and turning around
Trying and trying to sweat it all out
Kicking the habit that’s pulling me down.
I don’t wanna be eighty-five, singing
“Oh, no, I think I missed it, I was chasing money”
I don’t wanna be eighty-five, singing
“Oh, no, I got a big house, but my heart is ugly.”

-Andy Grammer, “85”

Perhaps now more than ever, the world is in need of people who will live for a purpose bigger than themselves. Will you, like Andy Grammer cautions in his song, wake up at age eighty-five and realize you wasted your life chasing the wrong things? Or will you know confidently that you have given everything you have to make the world a better place?

We’ve chosen to focus on the theme of “Purpose” this summer to call ourselves to be people who live unselfish lives. If you find yourself needing a remedy for a self-focused life, check out these verses.

Ephesians 1:11 TPT

Through our union with Christ we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance. Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.

Mark 1:16-18 TPT[16] As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he noticed two brothers fishing: Simon and Andrew. He watched them as they were casting their nets into the sea [17] and said to them, “Come follow me and I will transform you into men who catch people instead of fish!” [18] Immediately they dropped their nets and left everything behind to follow Jesus.

Psalm 105:19 NLT
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the Lord tested Joseph’s character.

Proverbs 4:25 TPT
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.

Luke 7:30 NET
However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves …

Romans 8:28 NLT
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Luke 22:32 TPT
32 But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”

Matthew 28:16-20 TPT

16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples heard the wonderful news from the women and left for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. 17 The moment they saw him, they worshiped him, but some still had lingering doubts.

18 Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the authority of the universe has been given to me.[a] 19 Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20 And teach them to faithfully follow[b] all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”

Matthew 24:35 TPT
The earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”

Luke 10:4 TPT
You won’t need to take anything with you—trust in God alone. And don’t get distracted from my purpose by anyone you might meet along the way.

John 12:27 TPT
“Even though I am torn within, and my soul is in turmoil, I will not ask the Father to rescue me from this hour of trial. For I have come to fulfill my purpose—to offer myself to God.

Ephesians 5:15-16 TPT

So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.

Philippians 2:2 TPT

So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy.

2 Timothy 2:21 TPT

But you, Timothy, must not see your life and ministry this way. Your life and ministry must not be disgraced, for you are to be a pure container of Christ and dedicated to the honorable purposes of your Master, prepared for every good work that he gives you to do.

2 Timothy 2:26 TPT

This will cause them to rediscover themselves and escape from the snare of Satan who caught them in his trap so that they would carry out his purposes.