What is Life?

I will warn you. If you are looking for enjoyment or entertainment, read no further. Click Next. and go on with your life. My purpose is simply to air some troublesome thinking that has been occupying my thoughtspace and perhaps give some folks a jumping off place to develop a deeper understanding of life.  Not from what I have "discovered", but what you find as you stop for a moment, put down your smart phone, shut off the TV and radio and listen. It is so easy to develop tunnel vision when there is so much more. There must be more to "life" than amassing goods, experiences, and power. A scripture says something like this; we are intended for the glory of God... my, my, how does that play out?
 
Last spring several concepts were thrust to the forefront of my mind that seemed to conflict with one another. That conflict reminded me of the story about the little boy who was walking along the beach throwing washed up starfish back into the ocean. There were myriads of starfish on the beach. A man happened on the boy and asked him what he thought the was doing and summarized their conversation with a word of wisdom. "You really can't make a difference.".  The boy retorted as he tossed another starfish back to safety, "it will make a difference to that one!"
One of the concepts was the vastness of creation. That is well presented in this website. Scale
How insignificant we are in comparison to planets in size and time, yet how immense we are related to beings that scurry about on a grain of sand.
As 2 of our sons adopted children who would most likely not be living today had they not found homes in Illinois and I marvel at the decision making process that occurs on some scale as to which ones . As Greg and Aidan interfaced with all those kids in Swaziland, you must wonder why. Many of the little ones who captured their hearts will not be living in a few years. Which one or two of those kids will not only survive, but make a difference to others in the future; and to how many others? 10, 100, or millions. For a glimpse into that world take a look at knowntome. As the "underprivileged" youth of our nation complain because they can't have the latest athletic shoes or jackets, or jewelry unless they steal it, I think about these kids of Swaziland who only desire a bowl of soup and maybe a second hand T-shirt as they play with sticks and rocks. What is poverty? What is Life?
For months now, we have been helping care for Georgia's mother who has now been bedfast for a few weeks, but could not be left alone since November 2011. Here we are 3, people (Georgia, her sister, and I) with 33 dependents to love and interact with, spending most of our time caring for this 1 person who has become extremely needy with nothing but pain and anxiety to look forward to each day on this earth.  Why?  Well, maybe McDonald's coffee with 3 creams and a mini-milkyway. What's the purpose? You would say, "at least she is living".. And I ask, "what is life?"  We pray daily that she use this time to draw herself ever closer to her Lord and Savior.  Is she living or existing? What is Life?
If we weren't here caring for her, what would we be doing? First, probably spending time with our kids and grandkids (and great grandson). Then we would be "updating" our house. A noble cause, right?? As I look at the pictures from Swaziland, I must wonder what is wrong with our house, but then compared with the digs we see on the HGTV and TLC programs, we live in a dump... What is the purpose of a dwelling? Another thing we would be doing is traveling to "see the world".. We had so much enjoyed our 4 year soiree across the USA and hope it hasn't ended. (you'll have to go back to 2008 in my blog posts to understand this if you don't know already. Yet, we desire to got to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Israel, etc. etc. etc. Doesn't everyone??? But for what purpose? To see where our newly adopted grandsons were born? Probly not... To experience the lifestyles of those who live on $250 or less a year? Probly not. Must say that the purpose is most likely to experience the grandeur that we read about and see on TV and to say we have been there and done that.... Is this life? Some folks would say, Yes it is. Others would think us so vain.
By this time you may be ready tot quit, thinking I've gone off the deep end and you don't want to go with me... Or you may be thinking, "It's not that hard, Steve, all you need to know is....... " Maybe so; maybe not". I am reminded of the quote, "vanity, vanity, all is vanity" which tells me that I am not the first one to pass this way. The question I'm probably wrestling with is that asked years ago by Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer Christian Manifesto.  His question (and title of a book) was "How shall we then live". Which could be translated, "What is Life?  Where do we draw the line? Should we be laying our all on the alter to care for others when "others" may or may not make a difference in the scheme of life? Should we earn lots of money so we can give to "meaningful" causes... Meaningful to who (whom?) People causes, Women's causes, Christian causes, Animal causes, Political causes... Oh my!!!!! How do we make and justify those decisions?: After all this is America. Shouldn't I be able to drive a "nice" vehicle and live in a "nice" house and, and and????? How many people (or animals) have I helped today???? How many people have I "saved" today.... Uhoh!! Well, how many people have I "witnessed to" today? How many church services did I miss this year? and Why???? What am I driving at now??? Who's yardstick by which do you measure your life??? If you use that from anyone but yourself, I'm convinced you will either be wasting your time and effort or feel like a failure. As I mentally go round and round this bush, I still end up at the same place. Jeremiah 29:11 Gives me some encouragement. Proverbs 11:25 tells me what to do, although there could be ulterior motive in giving here, God also says, "I prosper you so that you can be generous". (Not "I prosper you so you can pay taxes)  Oops, got a little political there. For me it still comes down to Micah 6:8. I must believe that He will give me the answers I need and all this mental rhetoric is truly vain. No wonder Jesus had to come and prepare the way and provide my passage. I would drive myself insane manipulating my way through this maze we call life. I would constantly waffle between self indulgence and self flagellation. I can't worry about what you or the neighbor or friends I haven't seen in years or anyone thinks about my path. I must pay attention and use others as I sound my way along the channel, but I must make the decisions that I believe are correct for me. I WILL disappoint some and disgust others. I hope to bless as many as possible, but in the end, their blessing is their own responsibility as they respond to "life". Simply, "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do"... Sorry, it just fit so well. It is followed by a saying that has recently become a favorite to me; "what is.... IS"... and believe it or not, compared to some, "life is good".
I had thought I would let this post ferment a bit longer before putting it down, but this morning, I got in the vehicle and flipped on the radio to hear a familiar song. That song was the stimulus to go ahead and get this out of my "system". If you think your life doesn't make a difference in the grand scheme of things or if your on the other end of the spectrum and think you're "all that"... take a listen. As I said this is an old song. How many times have you heard or said, "all I want is a simple 'thank you'". Please don't do anything to get a "thank you" or even expect a "thank you". So often the person you are doing something for isn't in an emotional state to say thank you or "doesn't know any better"... If you do it for the reward, whatever it is, you are missing it. It just "feels good" to do something (especially if it's not expected)   I know; if it is expected, it doesn't feel good and that's when you really do want a thank you. And I know that I am rattling and rambling on here when you got the point a while back.
Just listen and enjoy. Yes, we've reached that point; Enjoy!!! Don't you dare beat yourself up. If the song stimulates you to enjoy some "thank you's" enjoy them. If it stimulates you to do something your heart and "that little voice" have been telling you to do; "just do it"...
I'll leave you with one more little bit of goo before you click on the link for the song. It was the motto of the Silver Lake High School (Indiana) Class of 1960... "TO MAKE THE BEST BETTER".



Thank you!