Wind Chasing

When one stops to reflect on the questions: "Why am I here? What is my purpose?", it is easy to get caught up in the details of life and think that somehow life's purpose is defined by what one accomplishes in life. But when life pulls us up short and we are forced to reflect on life's accomplishments, we may come to the same conclusion as the writer of Ecclesiastes - one's accomplishments are but a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

So what is my purpose in life? The same writer says in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

Jesus summed up our responsibility in a similar manner - Love God and love my neighbor. He went on to define neighbor in the parable of the Good Samaritan as the one who has mercy, concluding with the words "Go and do likewise."

Purpose is found therefore by relationships - a right relationship with God and a right relationship with all the lovable and unlovable humans God created. Can my relationships with others be a reflection of my relationship to God? That's a scary thought!

A Worthy Response

A very dear friend reminded me yesterday that I had been silent lately. Since that time I have been searching for what to say in response to the current state of affairs.
- Getting past the loss of some dear friends and family - trying to understand God's perspective rather than my own
- Praying for what seems to be a growing list of close friends who are undergoing very serious illnesses
- Thankful for the blessings of a dear family and wonderful friends
- Praying for those who are undergoing what could be called undue persecution
- Praying for God's will to be done in the lives of family and friends
- Being reminded through a study of Job that it is okay to question the province of God, but in the final analysis, I must embrace the sovereignty of God.

I have been led today to a passage from Romans (The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)

9 -10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11 -13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14 -16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

17 -19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

20 -21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.