The Purpose of Life

Certain rules govern our planet. For instance, what goes up eventually gets pulled back down. If I just fall asleep for a nap, the phone rings. If I sleep late and am still in my pjs, the doorbell rings. Far better, reading Phil Callaway makes me laugh. Besides the many rules of golf (some are funny), he writes about the more serious rules God gives us for living well and how stubborn people such as myself must learn them:

It’s not easy explaining to a two-year-old why eating four pounds of Swiss chocolate may be a bad idea. But as you hold his head over the sink an hour later, he understands. If you’ve stood by “the sink” with others who have been broken by the consequences of their own sin, you understand. What we sacrifice for momentary pleasure is astronomical. What God requires of us is for our best. Our Creator knows and loves us. As surely as the planets and stars function best within His laws, so will we.

In the garden, the first sin happened when Satan suggested that God’s one rule for His people was not good, and this is the lie repeated in every heart from the time we can think about choices until the day we draw our last breath. Satan’s efforts are to turn us from God's will and trust our own. However, God knows and defends His reasoning for His many commands:

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good. (Deuteronomy 10:12–13)

The word “fear” is not being terrified and obey for fear He will visit me with disaster. It is more like “awe” at the wonder of who He is, His power to do anything, but also His persistent love, a love that wants my eternal best and is always there for me.

“Walk” in His ways is about all of life, not just Sunday morning church and then do my own thing the rest of the week. I now have a sign in my work area that says: “SELFISHNESS: a fantastic way to be miserable.” This is true. The result of selfishness is like having my head held over the sink.

“Love” for God is demonstrated by the second command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” — meaning that same love that God has for us — wanting the eternal best for others and doing whatever I can to love them like God loves them. 

“Serve” is about selfless activity and takes more forms than space to write them. One of our church leaders said “…serving in ways seen and unseen” which covers visible ministry like Mother Teresa and Billy Graham and unseen like many nurses, janitors, and prayer warriors. The task, no matter what it is, is done in obedience to the Spirit of God, with His enablement, and for His glory. Not everyone does the work of a servant in faith. Instead, “with all your heart and soul” means no selfish motivation, no desire to impress or make money, no manipulation or personal agenda. It is all about obedience and glory to Jesus.

I try to imagine a world filled with people who live like that. The only word that comes to mind is “heaven” and these thoughts increase my longing to one day see Jesus face to face and hear Him say, “Welcome Home.”

PRAY: Lord, there is much to do here in this place. I’m glad that You spell it out for me as an individual. I can pray for much but can do so little. Yet You have an army of faithful servants who love You and have figured out that the surest pathway to joy comes through obedience, in service to others and to You. I can pray for them as well as my own walk with You. Thank You for a wee taste of eternal glory as You teach me about Your incredible plans and give me a small glimpse of why I am here.