The Meaning of Life
Many people, through out time, have asked; What am I here for? Is there a meaning to life, and if so, what is it? Those on the journey with Christ understand that there is meaning to life.For many Christian, it’s as simple as Worship God. That’s it, no more is needed. In Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, (which, by the way, I consider a must read for all Christians), he expands on that, and lists five purposes that God has created us for;
1. You were planned for God’s pleasure.
2. You were formed for God’s family.
3. You were created to become like Christ.
4. You were shaped for serving God.
5. You were made for a mission.
Rick goes on to explain and clarify each point, and how each applies to us in our walk with Christ. Perhaps in the future, I will do a series of posts just on his book. It really is a well written study on purpose, and how it pertains to us. But there is one purpose that is missing, I believe, one purpose that binds them all together. That purpose is really quite simple, and it is there in front of us.
Go back to Genesis. Eve is about to take a bite from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Consider, as she is about to bite into that fruit, that God knows what she is doing, and not only that, He knew she would do it from the moment He created her. After all, He is God. He is all knowing, and all seeing. Consider also, He could have stopped it. He could have struck Eve down, He could have banished the serpent before she was tempted, He could have barricaded the Tree so they could not eat of it. In short, the Fall could have been prevented. Some say it was a test by God, but if God already knew the outcome, and He would, because He is all knowing, after all,than it really isn’t a test, is it? The fact of the matter is, God allowed sin into our lives. This is not to say that God wanted sin in our lives, only that He knew it would happen. But keep in mind, God always has a reason for everything He does. Even when sin happens, God is able to use it for His good.
Now jump ahead a few thousand years. A man named Jesus has appeared on the scene. People are leaving behind their families and jobs to follow him. Jesus spends three years in ministry before fulfilling his ultimate destiny, which was to die for the sins, and the guilt and shame that came with them, of all of us. But why did he need three years before he was hung on the cross? There were prophecies that needed to be fulfilled, but could he not have just called his disciples, done a few miracles, proclaimed himself the Son of God, and been crucified. Why three years? The answer is in Jesus himself. As you read through the scriptures, consider how Jesus is addressed, in particular, by many of the Jewish leaders; Teacher, Rabbi, (which means teacher). And, in fact, that is what Jesus spent the three years doing; teaching. Teaching the disciples, teaching the crowds, teaching using parables, teaching using miracles, even teaching using confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus was our teacher. If we want to follow Christ, then we must be students. If we want to be like Christ, then we must learn to be teachers. Pretty simple, huh? But there is more.
Why did God create Adam and Eve in the first place? No actual reason is given in Genesis, but the common answer is that we were created to worship, and to commune with God. Now if it was only about worship, God likely would have kept Adam and Eve away from the Tree, and away from sin. They would have worshiped Him forever, free from sin, and all that came with it. But, If God wanted us to commune with Him, consider this. How would Adam and Eve, who literally knew nothing, truly communed with God, who is all knowing and all powerful? It would be much like your relationship with your dog, who worships you, in a sense, but is not much for conversation. I believe that God wanted us educated, educated so that we may be able to converse with Him. Educated in love, compassion, humility, sacrifice, and so on. Any teacher will tell you that the best way to teach someone is through experience. Could this be the reason God allowed sin and evil into our lives? So we could learn how we are supposed to act and feel? This would further explain, and validate, Jesus’ teachings, and his having to die on the cross for us, as the ultimate lesson in sacrificial love. But wait, there’s more.
Jump ahead in Genesis to chapter 11. Man has built a mighty city, with a tower rising to the heavens. God says; "Look, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do now will be impossible for them." So He scattered man, and gave them many languages. But consider, could this be our ultimate goal; to learn to work and speak as one again, but with the education in His ways in hearts first?
As I dwelled on this, I began to look at our world and our history in a new way. Man discovers how to smelt iron. We learn how to make tools, but we also learn how to make deadly weapons. Man discovers precious metals such as gold and silver, and precious gems. We are able to craft beautiful jewelry and decorations, but we also fuel the greed in us. Man discovers how to make explosives. A fantastic tool for clearing fields and making roads, also a new, more deadly way to make weapons. The list goes on and on...discoveries in the medical fields, chemicals, nuclear fission...each discovery has benefits, and many times tragic costs. Each it’s own lesson. Then there is mankind itself. We are different colors, different beliefs, different languages and customs. We fight, because we each believe our way is right, our particular group knows what is best. Jesus said to LOVE one another, SERVE one another. Yet it seems all we are capable of is hating one another, using one another, killing one another. This is perhaps the biggest reason that I do not believe the world is going to end any time soon. We have way too much to learn still.
This whole thing has also caused me to look at the way I view things. I now look for lessons in things that are happening in the world. I remember that with God, all things are possible, and that He neither needs our permission, or to tell us first, to do anything. I look at the Muslim world, and the bloody conflicts, and I ask myself, is it possible that God appeared to Mohammed, and that the message he got has been twisted into the violent message that many radical Muslims follow today? That we are supposed to find the common ground that exists with Christians, Jews, and Muslims, that is One Holy God? Are there lessons to be learned in how we deal with the issue of homosexuality? Perhaps lessons in pride when we deal with the issue of Creationism versus Evolution? That perhaps both are right? Before you scream "Heresy" at me, remember, again, that all things are possible in God. It is not that I believe any of these things, but I have come to the realization that they are possible. And if they are possible, then some respect might be due to some of those we persecute. I do believe that there are lessons in stewardship that need to be learned quickly, as they pertain to this earth. We are quickly destroying this planet. At what point does that destruction become irreversible? God promised that He would never destroy man, but nowhere did I read that He would stop us from destroying ourselves. Game over, lesson failed.
We need to learn, individually, and corporately. We need to study, and learn what God truly wants. To do this, study the life and words of Jesus himself. Then, use that knowledge as a guide as you read the rest of the Bible. You may have a few revelations, as I did. (More to come on those later.) Then comes the tricky part. We must teach. We must not be afraid to stand up and tell others what we have learned, even as we remember that we may be wrong. We must put aside pride, and any other sinful feelings that may get in the way. We must be willing to listen to others, and truly contemplate their views. We must truly start thinking of others. Not just others in our family, or in our church. Not just others in our community, or even in our country. No, we must start thinking of all others, worldwide. What effect is our choices making in others lives? Do we really need a gas guzzling SUV, which also pollutes that much more? Do we really need to keep our A/C’s set to such low temps, all in the name of our own comfort? Before you answer, keep in mind that most of the people in the world don’t even have access to A/C. What about all the stuff we buy, then just throw away? And what does it cost others, in terms of their health and safety, to manufacture this stuff? Do you ever ask yourself why so much manufacturing takes place in the Third World these days?
My goal is not to make people feel guilty, but to get people to start thinking. And to start acting like the Christians we claim to be. Change is slow, but we must start changing the way we think. My hope and prayer is that each of us would learn Truth, that we would apply it in our own lives, and that we would share it with each other. May God bless each of you today,
Ken
posted by the voice @ 9:54 AM
2 Comments:
You have some truly thought-provoking points, Ken. When we stop to think that we yes, all of us, especially if you are using your own computer right now, we are in the top 2% financially speaking in the world, then it makes you consider what you are doing with the money God has given you. And it really does make me quiet my discontent (which shouldn't be there at all!)
May I suggest that you read Christianity in an Age of Hunger? It goes along with what you are saying.
Blessings,
Shalee
Ahhh...the drought of KEN has finally ended!
Keep it coming, man...keep it coming!
All things are possible with God. Amen, amen, amen!
And my favorite (but i don't remember where I got it) "You can't have a closed heart if you have an open mind."
GREAT post!
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