Finding Purpose Beyond Work

Now, once they are retired, they feel lost. If they don’t have to go to work, some will ask, “What is my purpose?”

A Man’s Deep Desires: Insights from Wild at Heart

In Wild at Heart, John Eldredge argues that every man deeply desires three things to feel truly alive and fulfill his masculine purpose: a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. These core needs are designed to help men move past passive “nice guy” stereotypes and embrace their strength.

He argues that men often seek validation in venues such as work. However, in each item listed below each man can fulfill his purpose in venues outside of work.

A Battle to Fight

Men need a purpose, mission, or cause that challenges them, allowing them to use their strength to fight against evil.

An Adventure to Live

Men need risk and challenge to test their spirit and strength, preventing the boredom that leads to stagnation and addiction.

A Beauty to Rescue

Men are driven to protect, cherish, and fight for a woman or something or someone vulnerable, offering their strength to make another’s life better.

Each of these activities are intended for a man to fulfill his masculine purpose.

A Broader Framework for Purpose: A Purpose-Driven Life

As I ponder on “purpose” my mind is drawn to another excellent book, A Purpose Driven Life by Rev. Rick Warren.

The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the 40 short chapters read on consecutive days. Each chapter contains a personal application section at the end with a “point to ponder,” a verse to remember, and a question to consider over the course of that day.

Rick Warren described his book as an “anti-self-help book.” The first sentence of the book reads, “It’s not about you,” and the remainder of the chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning can only be found in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do.

The book’s 40 chapters are divided into six major sections:

• • • • What on Earth Am I Here For?
      • Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure (Christian Worship)
      • Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God’s Family (Christian Fellowship)
      • Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship)
      • Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Christian Ministry)
      • Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Christian Mission)

In later versions of the book, two additional chapters were added about the two biggest reasons why Christians do not live purpose-driven lives: envy and “people pleasing.”

Integrating Both Perspectives

Rev. Warren lays out several purposes for men in all stages of life. Each of the three things that Eldredge mentions that men need can feed into the five purposes identified by Rev. Warren.

For example, I have a young lady in my life that I adore. She is my “Beauty to Rescue.” I am driven to protect, cherish, and fight for her because she is valuable in my eye. She is my Proverbs 31 and “brings me good, not harm.”

A Call to Action

I encourage all men to buy these books and pray how the message of each book can be applied in their life.  I pray that all men find their purpose and that the favor of our Lord be upon that work.

In addition, I encourage all men to consider male-only retreats such as “One Life To Life,” which are designed to help men identify and craft a plan to truly execute their life purpose with success.

I pray that all men find their purpose and that the favor of our Lord be upon that work.