A Life of Purpose and Meaning

I have a feeling that people from all walks of life have pondered the question 'what is the meaning of life?'  It sounds cliche sometimes to say it out loud, but it really isn't.  It's one of those haunting feelings we get from time to time, dancing around in the back of our mind.  This thought presses down on us occasionally, and often when we least expect it.  For many people, I suspect this question surfaces at pivotal landmark events like graduation ceremonies or weddings.  Celebrations that represent progress or transition from one stage of life to the next.  If often forces us to take an inventory of where we are at in our own lives. 

At funeral services we gather to grieve the passing of a loved one or a friend, and we hear the pastor talk about a life well lived.  It is difficult not to think about eternal things at times like this.  We reflect on our own journey ... is our own life being well lived?  Will someone stand up at a microphone after we are gone and say similar nice things?  Will they be honest if they do?

I am always taken back a bit when I hear Solomon's words from the Book of Ecclesiastes.  He was wise, and often times, rather blunt I think.  Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Meaningless?  Meaningless!  says the Teacher.  Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless."

Solomon then goes on to say that almost all activity we engage in will come to nothing eventually.  I think he is right.  Take for example, the fact that I am sitting at a computer right now, writing this article.  Some of you might read it, and hopefully it will edify and enlighten the reader at least a little.  But someday, not even that long from now, it will fade into posterity; drowned out by the voices of successive generations of writers perhaps.  As you are reading this text now, it matters in the sense that it has become part of your consciousness.  But what will happen in the next half hour or so as you move on with your busy life?  

So what then, is the purpose of it all?  What does this grand design that we are all a part of actually mean?  It becomes a matter of finding purpose.  We exist now in a world experiencing a pandemic, civil unrest, and an uncertain future.  Most of us thought we would be finished fighting COVID-19 by now.  Surely there is more to life than this.  And so the thought creeps into our minds again ... always there, never really going away for long.  What is the meaning of my life?

Bear with me now, as I want to pass along something that has helped guide me up to this point.  I believe it speaks directly to the question of purpose and meaning.  It isn't a self-help tip or some piece of biased opinion.  It comes to us by way of an ancient proverb (or saying) found in the Old Testament.  Proverbs 9:10 tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

I believe that this fear (which really means respect and obedience) for God, and a pursuit of His knowledge will lead us directly to faith.  If we follow this path to fruition, mankind cannot help but end up exactly where God wants him to be: cultivating a healthy respect and awe for His creative existence.  It trumps all other forms of fruitless gain.  In fact, Solomon goes on to list off ten things that seem like they matter on the surface, but have no lasting impact without God's involvement.  Things like work, wealth, competition, power, etc.  All of these things will be here today, and eventually, gone tomorrow.  At some point in the future, even your own family line may not know that you existed.  Humbling, isn't it?  And also cause for sorrow, if it weren't for God and His eternal qualities.

So my advice is this: 'baptize' everything you do for the sake of God's goodness.  Are you a writer?  Then write books and articles for Him.  Are you a coach?  Then lead your athletes to be Godly competitors.  Any talent you happen to possess is from God anyway ... you know that don't you?  Stop and think about this for a moment.  Were you not simply born with this or that ability?  You might be using it to your own gain, but you didn't invent or create it.  It was given to you before you were born.  

And consider this also: if you cannot baptize an activity for the sake of God, then it might be sin.  If you are indulging in an activity that you cannot return back to God or use to help other people, it may be something that needs to go from your life.  The type of thing that requires repentance, and then forgiveness.  It isn't benefiting you now, and it won't help you later either.  Sin always has a way of getting worse instead of better, unless or until you focus on eliminating it ... and then often success only follows with God's supernatural help.  Ask the recovering alcoholic how he or she got sober.  They will often point to a higher power. 

A meaningful life begins with seeking after the one for whom all meaning is born and nurtured.  Respect and fear God, and then pursue knowledge of Him.  It is a lifelong endeavor, and it doesn't stop after an alter call or a commissioning ceremony.  Life without God can be busy - maybe even temporarily happy - but it cannot be fruitful.  I cannot give back to the world a lasting, eternal gift in the same way that Jesus demonstrates love to us without seeking after the Father of Lights.  You will just be going through the motions, not unlike the image of a hamster in a wheel.  Round and round you go, keeping busy and trying not to think about eternal things or your eventual departure from this Earth.  Trying never to ruminate about what someone might stand up and say at your own funeral.  Busy for the sake of being busy.

Seek God and love Him, and this will sustain you in ways that defy imagination.  You will have gained more grace than any of us deserve, and you will then be able to pass it on to other people.  You can get rid of that fruitless, meaningless feeling forever.  You are called to so much more than that anyway. 




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Worshipping Our Own Version of God

When I was a young single man, I remember thinking what it must be like to settle down someday and have children.  It seemed really nice, and I looked forward to that reality one day in the future.  Then later, when I met my wife and we were engaged, we would often discuss what it would be like to be parents together.  I thought I had a pretty good idea what it would be like.  I enjoyed holding other people's babies and playing with my younger cousins from time to time.  I figured I had a pretty good handle on what the whole parenting thing would look like.  

The split between reality and the theoretical would soon occur, however, as my daughter came along shortly after we were married.  Two more young ones followed over the next six years or so, and I discovered one very important thing.  Namely, that I had no idea what being a parent was really like, until I became one myself.  Spending time playing with cousins and neighbor kids really doesn't prepare you for 2 a.m. bottle feedings and a perpetual lack of sleep.  Nor does it prepare you for those special moments when those little faces look up at you with pure, unadulterated love in their eyes.  I suspect it's the same way with grandchildren.  

My point is this: we often think we know something, when in reality, there is still much to learn.   If we think about the concept of God for example, different people can have a multitude of ideas about what this being is really like.  They are pretty confidant that the deity they are praying to is the embodiment of whatever concept they have envisioned in their own mind.  But that is often the catch ... it is a created concept they are worshipping.  It may not be grounded in Scripture or solid Christian teaching whatsoever.  Even the notion of 'solid teaching' can sometimes differ depending on who you talk to.  

Let us take a look at the example of Jesus resting next to Jacob's well with the Samaritan woman.  The Gospel of John lays out a picture of a tired and thirsty Messiah who arrives in Samaria with nothing to draw water from the well.  After a quick discussion about spiritual things, John 4:22 records this statement: "You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."

You will note here that Jesus was not making a statement about racial superiority, but rather, he was trying to help this woman understand that the concept of God that she had adhered to was not one-hundred-percent accurate.  It's hard to argue with the son of God on the subject of who the Father really is.  Easier to debate God with each other I suspect (and in fact we often do).  This is why I've always found it so funny to picture the Pharisees debating Jesus about Old Testament law.  Who would know better than Christ?

The question still stands today - are many of us worshipping a fictional God that we have created ourselves?  Do we really know who we are praying to?  Do we understand who we are coming together each Sunday to worship?  This revelation can be both frightening and freeing at the same time. 

I believe one example of this fictional God is very popular today.  It basically builds a case that God is some type of politically correct being who doesn't require repentance from sin.  In other words, a senile type of older man with a white beard who doesn't really care what we do with our personal lives, as long as everyone is happy and healthy.  Sound familiar?

This is an easy God to love, because it requires no sacrifice on our part.  This fictional version of God makes no demands upon our lives, has nothing to say about the great issues of our time, and will not ever judge us or become angry.  This version of God doesn't care or comment on same sex marriage, abortion, or make any comment in either direction about morality or ethos.  He is more like a fun uncle who shows up at the house every once in a while with ice cream or candy.  Not anything like an omniscient, omnipotent creator.  

Think I'm exaggerating?  Try suggesting God is a personal being who can get angry or render judgement on a nation, and see what type of response you get from the general public.  By and large, many have fallen victim to a God of their own creation.  And when confronted with the concept of the Biblical God, people will often react with anger or frustration. 

But there is hope.  If we seek out knowledge from the Bible concerning who God really is and what He actually did, then the picture becomes much clearer.  The tide begins to turn.  The historical God of Abraham and Isaac begins to render into clear view.  In my own studies, I have been able to draw three conclusions about who this awesome God of ours really is.  And although I am just as subject to error as any other human being, I think most mainstream Christians would agree with the short list that follows.  

First, the true God of the Bible hates sin.  I know because He tells us so, and Jesus does also.  Multiple times throughout the Scriptures we are commanded to turn from our sin and repent (both as a nation and as an individual).  The idea of sinning away without any notion of sanctification over time, is not a luxury we are afforded if you read though the actual text.  

Second, the true God of the Bible is long suffering.  Scripture shows us time and time again that before a prophet would bring a plague or judgement upon a country or nation, hundreds of years would pass by.  In other words, if God corrected a people group, chances are they had been refusing to repent for a long, long time.  It isn't like how human beings become angry at the drop of a hat and fire back at each other sometimes.  God is much more patient and long suffering when it comes to us. 


Finally, the true God of the Bible extends the offer of salvation to anyone who calls on His name.  It's no good trying to assert that certain people are more holy than others, and therefore deserve God's love more.  I think we do a disservice to the Scriptures if we think or act in that fashion.  The offer of eternal life from Jesus stands for anyone at any time, we need only repent of our sins, accept Him as lord and savior, and put our trust in God and become baptized.  

I have often heard people say things like, "I wish God would send me a sign or a signal."  Although I empathize with their plight (especially in today's confusing world), I must maintain that God's foremost sign for the human race is in fact the Holy Bible.  It is nothing short of a love letter written out in the form of sixty-six books over the course of some 3,500 years.  I implore people to read through it on their own, and then get involved in some type of Christian study group.  We have so much information about the true God and who He is, and it's right at our fingertips.  What a gift this is for humanity.  What a powerful thing it is to really understand who we are worshipping, and to be confidant in what He wants for our lives.  It is then only a matter of time until we begin praying and giving thanks to more accurate version of the Father of Lights.  

The Bible says that He knew us before we were even born ... the least we can do is take the time to learn a little about Him as well.  Not so much what culture might tell us, but  what Jesus actually said and did. 



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Grace Under Pressure

We live in a difficult and confusing time.  Although different people across many different generations have uttered something similar to this, it sure seems to apply today in the year 2020.  When I read the news or watch political discourse, I can usually feel some type of agenda.  When I do my own research about the current coronavirus pandemic that we are experiencing, it often leads to more confusion and discouragement.  Should we wear a mask in public or not?  Does the virus spread from people without symptoms or not?  Should I stay home all the time, or go out in public again?  And for many people, if they speak out against the current narrative of fear surrounding COVID-19, they are met with discord and rebuke.  Tolerance for other viewpoints seems to be a rare thing right now. 

In so many ways, this is the 'New America', and I don't mean just social distancing and increased use of hand sanitizer.  With the civil unrest that is occurring right now by groups of people protesting in public places, fear of rioting and looting, as well as layers of racial division being revealed in America - it is tempting for many to simply give up on society, lock their doors, and stay home.  Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert once said, "Racism is America's pre-existing condition."  

I can think of no other time in recent history, when the ability to extend grace and understanding to each other has been more important.  During the terrorist attack on domestic soil on September 11, 2001, there was almost immediate unity in America.  After Islamic terrorist groups flew airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York City, I remember this strange feeling of anger, that soon gave way to a collective call for Americans to unite and be strong.  To put aside differences, and come together against a common enemy of the state.  But things seem different now.  The COVID-19 virus, the fear of economic collapse, and the undercurrent of racial discord create almost the perfect environment for people to stop listening to each other.  Unity isn't what appears to be taking place.  What a time it could be to show empathy and love to others, instead of propagating hate and anxiety.   

John 1:16 grants us wisdom when it says, "Out of his [Jesus] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."  This statement comes right after we are introduced to John the Baptist's testimony about the soon coming Christ.  

Likewise, 2 Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."   The knowledge - the chance learn about and follow God - can lead us directly to a state of being that incorporates grace.  Grace not only freely given to you and I from God, but the expectation that this grace will be extended to other people also ...  even if the rest of the world has fallen into relative chaos.  

Now this is a tall order; not easy to do at all.  But as I move through these difficult times like everyone else, I would like to offer three ways that you and I can show grace under pressure.  The first thing to remember is that the Bible exhorts us to be slow to speak under most circumstances - so I would like to recommend that we Listen first.  The simple act of listening to another human being fully and in committed fashion, allows us to get a handle on not only what they are going through, but what they are feeling.  As a good portion of impatience and frustration stems from emotionally charged environments, sitting quietly and listening seeks to accept the other person's viewpoint as important and meaningful (no matter the content of that view might be).

Second, it is wise to Learn the other person's perspective.  It involves something referred to years ago as 'flipping the script' (i.e.: switching a situation up and placing yourself in their shoes).  This takes determination and effort, but it almost always pays off.  For example, before you make a cavalier comment on social media about the coronavirus, place yourself in the perspective of other people who may be more vulnerable or frightened than you.  Similarly, prior to commenting negatively about the protests going on across our nation, put yourself in the position of a person of color, who has had to experience a lifetime of unfair treatment and discrimination.  Many indulge themselves in the lure of being an armchair quarterback, but few take the time to learn and really understand the other person's experiences.  It's always easier to interpret life through the lens of our own opinion.  

Finally, Love always.  The apostle Paul tells us that no matter how many great things we have done for the church or for God, if we don't have love, then we don't have anything.  Love seeks to extend both grace and kindness; it actually does something.  It commands us to listen, learn, and then to act or respond in some fashion commensurate with Jesus Christ.  What Would Jesus Do was a catchphrase years ago, but I find it often falls short in certain areas.  Let's ask rather: what would you and I do now, knowing what Jesus did for us?  Are we listening to each other with God's heart, or are we being divisive and cynical.

This dialogue often reminds me of John Wesley's three simple rules that the Methodist Church strives to live by.  They are as follows: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.  Although the third edict was shortened from it's original state (which used to say 'observe all the ordinances of God') ... it is impactful nonetheless.  Listen to people, then seek to empathize with them, and then respond with love and grace.  

By the way, this doesn't automatically mean that you must then agree with them.  In fact, a good many folks with whom I have disagreed vehemently about certain things, won my respect because they took the time to understand my position at the outset, instead of trying to dominate the discussion with their own opinion first.  It may end up that I eventually agree with what they are saying, or it may not.  But the fact remains that I felt respected and valued as a person first and foremost.  Would this not change the tide in most high pressure situations?  Would this not de-escalate most arguments?

The truth of the matter is this - if we do not offer other people grace, then we shouldn't expect it in return.  We should not be surprised if the order of the day is hate speech or fear.  If the Christian church does not extend the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, then we will not draw people to God.  If you can remember a time in your life when you were hurting, and someone listened to you, learned your perspective, and then reacted with love - then revel in it.  And by all means, pay it forward.  



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