DO YOU KNOW?

PRACTICE: Why are you here?

Many of us will have trouble answering these questions. Some of us will give one of those pat and pretty answers that tickles our ego and the ears of another. Not wanting to listen only to my musings, I reached out to 4 of my trusted friends…born in 4 different decades. One replied, “to love.” Another said, “this is hard.” I am still waiting for another answer. Another said to raise her boys. And my most seasoned friend said, “…to make a difference.

My first observation from the collected answers, at different stages of life the answers will look and sound different. That’s okay but at a deep inner place there should be a constant answer to the question with the recognition that expression of the constant may be lived out differently. Why? I believe that it is one’s core constant that becomes the true compass to all of life. As an aside, I am not blind to the face that the core constant in some people leads them in the direction of disaster again and again… another topic for another writer.

Here are my clarifying questions to each respondent: What does love look like on a daily basis? What happens when the boys are raised? I didn’t ask “make a difference,” a question because I have observed her making a difference in more ways than she will ever know. As you would expect, the question was asked of me -why are you here?

Here’s a shortened summary of my reply. “Mostly it is fuzzy. Every now and then I get a clear glimpse of why. The clarity comes in the middle of an interaction with someone and the message is always the same…you are here to help others define their reason for being.” I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I really don’t want the responsibility. I run from the task. Yet I know that it is my reason for being. The fuzzy lies in the not knowing when and where the need for help will be required. Helping others define their reason for being is my core constant. It is expressed in many ways.

HOWEVER, the cogent theme that was loud and clear from all respondents including me…our why is other-centered.

Matt. 5:13-16

PONDER THIS THOUGHT - Life is not a self-centered journey.