Friday, May 15, 2015

Considering Purpose

"Why?"  It's a question that kids are known for asking.  They want to know why the sky is blue, why they have to eat their vegetables, why they have to do what mom and dad tell them to do, and a whole host of other things.  As we get older, we start asking the "why" question a little less frequently, as we learn that there are many times where we simply cannot know the answer to that question, and where we often just have to take action.

Yet, the "why" question never really goes away.  And as we get older, hopefully we start asking why about the deeper questions of life.  Sure, I could take some time to delve into those, and perhaps will in future posts.  But for today, I'm sort of taken with the why question as it pertains to our existence.

Why are we here?  Or, maybe in a slightly different way, why does God leave us here in this world once we believe in what Jesus accomplished for us?  Or, in a slightly different way, why does God have me interact with the people that He sends across my path on a daily basis?  Shoot, even Jesus asks that we not be taken out of the world, even though the world may hate us, but that we be protected from the evil one (read John 17 for the context of this).  Why?

Could it be that the message of Good News of what Jesus has accomplished far outweighs our desire to simply be with God forever?  Could it be that those countless "somebodies" that God puts in our path need us far more than God needs us to be in the eternal kingdom right now?  Could it be that we need a continuing lesson in having compassion and caring for others, just as God has cared for us in Jesus?

The "why" question is ultimately a purpose question.  What is my purpose?  What is the reason that I exist and live?  And our God so often has the answer.  We are here to share what He has done for us, especially in Jesus, and to demonstrate godly care and compassion toward every neighbor God sends across our path.  What higher, nobler purpose could any of us have than that?

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