Thought for the Week
An agnostic friend asked, “What is the purpose of life? Why don’t religions tell us?” I responded, “Actually, Jesus and others in the Bible do tell us the purpose of life. It’s to know and love our Creator (John 17:3, Romans 8:28, Revelation 3:20).
“But why does our creator need us to focus on him?* How can that be our only purpose? Shouldn’t we each try to discover our own path, instead of simply staying true to him?”
“First of all, it’s important to not think of God as human,” I replied, “or even as superhuman. God is not some imperfect-but-all-powerful being who egocentrically demands our attention.” He doesn’t need us, we need him. Why? Because God is the source of all truth, wisdom and love. God is, in fact, love itself in its purest form (1 John 4:7-11). All other loves are merely an echo of his.
Therefore, to know and love God is to know why we are here (John 17:3). And “staying true to him” is no more limiting than a fish “staying true to water.” It was made for water—outside the water it perishes. As C.S. Lewis put it, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.”
A dating service once prepared a personality profile for me. Noting my answers, they informed that me I was “religious” and would, therefore, enjoy “a partner like you, who believes what she was raised to believe, and doesn’t question it.” I informed them that:
- I was raised an atheist
- I’m actually quite anti-“religious,” preferring to love God instead of religion
- I would rather read a good book—or even a bad one—than date a woman who “doesn’t question” her beliefs
The 17th century term “Freethinker” has made a comeback of late. But while the label had real meaning back when state churches told people what to believe, the opposite seems to be true now. Amid the increasing silencing and widespread ridiculing of faith in modern society, one of the most freethinking things a person can do is “rebel” and look into the claims of Jesus.
I’m so glad I became a freethinker (and married one). Result? I thank God every day that…
I know why I’m here.
*Technically God isn’t a “him.” But the English language doesn’t provide a suitable singular, non-gender term for us to use (“it” implies an object or non-sentient being).
If you have children and grandchildren you know precisely why you are here.
Yes. Our language(s) fall FAR short in terms of describing the depth and breadth of Love. So glad you married someone who THINKS. I did, too. Thinking is hard. Loving is hard. But that’s the point….
I agree, Rita.
After that tragic Air India plane crash you can imagine how many questions the sole survivor has but it is proof that he was meant to stay on Earth and more things expected from him,
That’s quite a thought, Rasma.
Great post as always, something to constantly ponder all the time, especially in these times.
Indeed, L.G.
A lot to think about here, Mitch.
context
I was raised by a loud arthiest married to a quietly deeply spiritual person – it took awhile. I also am not religious but I love God which is a handy term that doesn’t go even close to explaining everything that I know that power to be, or how it influences my life and those who allow it in. All of this to say – this resonates Mitch.
Glad to hear that, Kate.
Powerful post, Mitch!
Thank you, and good to hear from you, Kara!
Ah, the “freethinker”!! I well remember a lot of anti-theists (oddly, they were okay with all religions but Christianity and Judaism) some 20-25 years ago, proudly referring to themselves as “freethinkers”. They were the most scripted people I had ever encountered, until the last few years.
“God is not some imperfect-but-all-powerful being who egocentrically demands our attention.”
Yet that is exactly the “god” I’ve been told I believe in, over and over. Funny how they apparently know what I believe, better than I do. 😄
;>)
That is a brilliant reversal of the original, militantly agnostic, usage of “freethinker.” Yes, it is the Christians who in our day who think critically and buck the common worldview of this secular and hedonistic age.
Thanks, Rob.
I’ll go one step further and call myself a freed thinker.
I like that, Al!
This is an excellent post. Well said!
“Form does not differ from emptiness.
Emptiness does not differ from form…”
Note: The “Heart Sutra” was written down around 600 C.E., which is
seemingly eons before the findings of particle physics. I thought you
would love this mention.
Life is a journey, and our purpose is to help others find the way to life. Religion is a distraction, not one of God’s constructs. I didn’t discover God, he uncovered me and I understood the weight of his presence. Thank you Mitch.
My privilege, brother.
Yes! AMEN!
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