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!