Tip: Life has a purpose!
Around this time of the year, shopping, Christmas parties, family get-togethers, and children’s school plays occupy a lot of our time. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that takes place during this season. However, I enjoy all of it because it reminds me of the special meaning of this time of year.
In light of Christmas, I wonder if you have ever stopped to consider that there really is a purpose to life. We are not just a bunch of meaningless creatures walking around on a big ball of dirt that floats around aimlessly in the universe. No, I believe that we are much more than that!
Years ago, Scott Peck, M.D., wrote a book called The Road Less Traveled. It sold over five million copies. Needless to say, it was a best-seller. In his book, Dr. Peck shares his journey to understand the meaning of life. Being a scientist and a physician, and after personally counseling over 40,000 people, he finally discovered that life is basically about two things: learning and growing. Scott Peck said, “If you are learning and growing then you are on the right path of life! If you are not learning and growing, you are simply dying a slow death!” It filled my heart with excitement and gratitude when I read that information. I remember thinking to myself, “I can do that! I can learn and grow!” Peck went on to talk about the fact that life is simply a journey. We are all in the process of learning and growing.
In a later book, Further Along the Road Less Traveled, he discusses his personal spiritual journey and the awakening that had occurred in his own life. He said that after personally counseling over 40,000 people in his career he noticed the fact that all of mankind is basically broken and there is no solution in this life to be completely repaired. He said the only solution was to be “born again”. I find it interesting that he came to that conclusion as a scientist rather than a minister. It is fascinating to know that someone as brilliant as Dr. Scott Peck found the real purpose and meaning to life. In a word, he found that life has a purpose.
I once heard Zig Ziglar say, “You are going to be dead a whole lot longer than you are going to be alive. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider what is going to happen to you!” Anyone who knew Zig very well knew that he is a very spiritual man and believes with all of his heart that there was a purpose to life.
Do you believe that life has purpose and meaning? Or, do you believe that it is just a lot of random, meaningless events? That would be a very sad and dismal position to hold concerning life. I do not think that would give anyone very much enjoyment, purpose, or peace. But I do believe everyone is free to believe whatever they want to believe. I just don’t believe everyone is right. As one of my friends says, “I don’t want to BE RIGHT, I just want to GET IT RIGHT!”
In looking for the meaning and purpose of life, it is important to also understand that there is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. Differing religious beliefs have caused wars to be fought! Being spiritual, however, has to do with the realization that we are much more than just physical and social beings; we are also eternal spirit-beings destined to spend eternity somewhere. And it is that awareness that causes us to know that life very much does have a purpose!
I would encourage you to recognize this Christmas season that there is more to life than just keeping busy. If that is all there is to life, then our busyness simply becomes an anesthetic to numb the pain and emptiness inside of our own hearts.
Take some time to enjoy your family, friends and loved-ones. Go out of your way to continue to learn and grow in what it means to be a caring, loving person. Maybe this would be an excellent time for you to reach out and show your spiritual perspective by helping someone who is in need this year.
I want to grow to become all that I was meant to be and I am sure that you feel the same. However, that can only happen if we recognize that we are spiritual creatures living in physical bodies and are committed to learning, growing, and caring about our fellowman and the world in which we live. Recognize that you were created with an eternal prospective and seek to find your destiny. I know you can do it!
Tip: Life has a purpose!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
