When I am asked "What is the Purpose of Life", I often struggle at the words. I don't know I can answer for everyone, but I can offer the reason I believe that I am here. A purpose that to me, inspires me to be a kinder soul, a caring person, and to share with others what I have learned and gained from life. I believe that we are here to fulfill two main objectives: 1) To accomplish a profound transformation, through the assistance and guidance of God, to transform our self-centered beings into people who share and care for others. 2) To assist God by using our transformation in Repairing the World (Tikkun Olam), bringing hope, healing and social justice to a world torn by wars, poverty, hatred and racism.
This sounds like an impossible task, righting all the wrong in the world. It is a lot to process. But we all have a part to play, a role that God has designed us to fulfill. Think about the idea that you are a unique creation, with talents/skills/abilities that you were given to assist God in Tikkun Olam, and you are here exactly at the right time ("for such a time as this"). If we all begin to see our value and potential, and all of us begin to share with those around us, we can start the process of repairing this world.
I watch all the outrage on Facebook play out everyday. People yelling about this, yelling about that, but truly effecting zero change in the lives of the people around them. These "armchair activists" talk a tough talk about who they think sucks and how many problems society has, but in the end, they contribute very little towards lasting and fulfilling change. They live their lives seeking to blame and not to better.
In God's economy, meaningful and significant change starts when we begin the transformation process on ourselves, seeking to eliminate our selfish desires, also known as "The Desire to Receive for Self-Alone". So often I hear all the noise about how bad this person is, that person is, but aside from voicing their vehement disagreements, very little idea on how to proceed and reach measurable and defined compromise. Like I said, a lot of noise and not much music.
I believe that most people suffer from a lack of feeling like viable contributors to life. The idea that their existence has no meaning, no impact and no value causes tremendous frustration and leads people to complain and argue about things that have no affect on their lives. Basically, as a deflection of their own personal dissatisfaction, the world around them becomes the problem and they are a helpless hobbit against the evil forces. Never before has being the "victim" (a consciousness very much alive and well in Christian circles) been more alive or more profitable.
Making a measurable difference isn't as much about "getting your head in the game" (as often preached from enthusiastic pulpits)as it is have a "heart for people". We want people out of poverty, we want people to be safe in their homes, we want people to have equal opportunities that aren't based on their gender or race, we want people to have usable health insurance, the list goes on. But at the same time, leveling words of hatred and tossing insults at anyone and everyone that doesn't agree with you is hardly the path to change.
When we engage "The Desire to Receive for the Sake of Others", we are asking God to strengthen us with the ability to be a benefit to others, while all the time being the agent of change in their lives. So often when I listen to people pray, they are seeking a God that helps people with an outer body experience, suggesting to God that He "goes and gets it done" while we watch from the sidelines. This stands in odds with the idea that part of our transformation is actively helping (not Facebook ranting) others-which in turn helps us build a vessel, one the Creator can store His light in for us to turn around and share ruthlessly with others.
I encourage each of you to get out of the pulpit and onto the ground. Look everyday for those that need a helping hand-a life-a positive word-whatever may come your way. By investing in helping others, we help God in His mission of repairing the world. I believe this will also begin to tip the scales of injustice and hasten the return of Messiah. May it be during our lifetimes!
David Fournier
David Fournier in the Senior Instructor at Restoring Grace. David teaches classes on Hebraic Perspectives, Early Christian Communities and New Testament Formations and Canon. David is available for your church, youth group, seminars and retreats. Email David at:dfour26@gmail.com
