Embracing Our Brief Assignment on Earth
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Reflections on Chapter Six of The Purpose Driven Life
There is something liberating about recognizing a simple truth: This world is not our home. In chapter six, we come to this powerful reminder that shifts how we view our existence and priorities. Warren opens with a declaration as one of God’s views on life: “Life on earth is a temporary assignment,” and this perspective has the power to change everything about how we live.
The Fleeting Nature of Our Earthly Journey
Warren illustrates the brevity of our time here through vivid metaphors. Life is described as “a mist, a fast runner, a breath, and a wisp of smoke.” These images capture something we often forget in our daily hustle- how quickly our time passes. The Bible reinforces this reality in Job 8:9: “For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth ar as fleeting as a shadow.”
This isn’t meant to discourage us but to provide a crucial perspective. When we truly grasp how brief out stay is, Warren suggests, “You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached.” It’s a gentle but firm reminder that our grip on earthly things should remain loose, our hearts set on something more permanent.
King David understood this deeply, praying with remarkable honesty:”Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know taht I am here for a moment more.” This prayer reveals the heart of someone who recognized the temporary nature of his assignment and sought divine help to live accordingly.
Pilgrims in a Foreign Land
The biblical language describing our status on earth is particularly striking. Warren points out the Scripture uses terms like “alien, pilgrim, foreigner, stranger, visitor, and traveler” to describe our brief stay. These aren’t negative labels but acute descriptions of our tru identity. We’re not permanent residents; we’re passing through.
David captured this sentiment beautifully: “I am but a foreigner here on earth” (Psalm 119:19). Peter echoed this understanding, encouraging believers to “live your time as temporary residents on earth” (1 Peter 2:11). This perspective isn’t about disconnection from life but about proper attachment- loving people deeply while holding earthly things lightly.
The Danger of Making Ourselves too Comfortable
Warren addresses a crucial challenge: the temptation to make ourselves too crazy in a temporary dwelling. The Bible warns, “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge you ego at the expense of your soul” (1 Peter 2:11 MSG).
When we forget our temporary status, we risk what James describes as spiritual adultery: “You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.” It’s not that material things are inherently evil, but our attachment to them can become spiritually dangerous.
The apostle Paul provides wisdom for navigating this tension: “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). We can engage with the world without being captured by it.
Shifting Our Focus to the Eternal
Warren emphasizes that real believers understand “there is far more to life than just the few years we live on this planet.” This expanded perspective changes everything. When we grasp this truth, Warren notes, “you will stop worrying about ‘having it all’” because we realize the earthly accumulation isn’t the point.
The Bible provides a powerful framework for this shift: “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). This isn’t about ignoring reality but about prioritizing correctly. C.S. Lewis captures this perfectly: “ All that is not eternal is eternally useless.”
Ambassadors, Not Settlers
Warren reminds us that “We are Christ ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Ambassadors don’t abandon their home country’s values when stations abroad; they represent them faithfully. Similarly, as heaven’s ambassadors on earth, we’re called to represent our tru home’’s values while serving our temporary assignment here.
This ambassadorial role gives meaning to our earthly experience. We’re not just surviving until we can leave; we’re on a mission, representing the kingdom of heaven in our daily interactions, work, and relationships.
The Promise of Home
Maybe most encouragingly, Warren reminds us that '“the end of life is not the end!” Hebrews 11 describes faith-filled people who “said they were like visitors and strangers on earth… they are waiting for a better country- a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.”
Warren’s closing thought is moving:”When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not at hone yet. At death you won’t leave home- you’ll go home.”
Personal Application
The question Warren posses cuts to the heart of practical faith: “How should the fact that life on earth is just temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?” This isn’t just theoretical; it demands honest self-examination.
As I reflect on this question myself, I recognize that need for God’s help in truly living as a temporary resident. It means spending more quality time experiencing life’s genuine joys rather than merely accumulation its temporary treasures. It means trusting that God will provide according to His perfect will while I focus on faithfully fulfilling my temporary assignment.
The perspective doesn’t diminish life’s beauty or importance; it enhances them by placing them in proper context. When we remember that this world is not our home, we’re freed to love more fully, serve more faithfully, and live more purposefully, knowing our ultimate destination awaits.
The temporary nature of our earthly assignment isn’t a limitation- it’s a liberation that allows us to live with eternal significance in every moment we’re given.
