We arrive on earth as a small tenuous life force. We grow, develop and learn. We experience. We laugh. We cry. And, eventually we die.

How long we get to be here is undeterminable which makes life all the more valuable. It is a mystery, one we cannot solve on our own.

But, what about the legacy we leave: Is it what we accumulate? Is it about making money—or gaining praise? Or, is it about being “on top,” holding control, having power?

Some seem geared primarily to think “be happy, have fun.”  Yet, there is something much greater than all else we do in life. There is an “ultimate purpose” for our being here.

The result of our being here will have to do with what we bestow upon others . . . how we have treated others. This is how we will be remembered once we leave this turf called earth. We can only make this world better through our outreach to others. It is called “love” in action—and God is love. He can help us become lovers of others in the greatest and best sense.

Some of my favorite authors have glimpsed eternity while here, granting them empowerment to bring into the world a paragon of virtue for making life better for others—and consequently for ourselves. Mostly this has come to them through reading Scripture, catching the vision of what God’s intention is and was and ever will be.

Aren’t we happiest when we have purpose and meaningful work? The garden He made for us calls for work. How we treat it is of ultimate importance. We either love the earth while we are here—or we treat it as “dirt.” Being a good friend to the earth and sharing ourselves in beneficial ways, blesses us and blesses others. What we do, here, does not have to be done “in a big way.” Treating the earth and each other with kindness and care—in small ways—is enough.

Due to the fall of human kind, described so clearly in the Book of Genesis, it is obvious that we are “sent here” to learn through our experiences. We make mistakes and our mistakes become our best teachers. Obedience to what God wants makes everything better. The essence of life calls for the blessedness of sacrificing . . . alongside granting and receiving forgiveness.

Life often is a struggle. But in surmounting the struggles—staying in the process of gaining ground—we experience joy and we grow in strength. Scripture says that the fruits of the spirit include love, peace and joy. Yet, these can only come when we step out in faith, saying, “God, you take the controls. Lead me. Guide me.”

The Bible portrays a picture of us becoming sons and daughters of God and that we are headed for the fullness of love when we leave this earth. It is there, or so it is said, that we will see our whole lives flash before us. We will then see the good of it and most likely also see what we will wish we had done differently.

And, Jesus will wipe away all tears.

There are two passages that show Jesus’ words most succinctly, “Jesus wept.” And, while hanging on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Jesus portrayed the ultimate level of loving by the way He lived His 33 years on earth—and by how He died. His entire life was about sacrifice and He laid down His life in love.

”This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” (John 15:12-13). We can lay down our lives for others in different ways.

We become children of God when we hear the “knock” on our hearts door and say to God, “Come in.” It is our Lord who stands there waiting. And, our repentance brings to us a clean slate . . . new life. Born anew in Spirit and truth. God is a loving Father who wants His children, to be seated at “the banqueting table” in heaven.

Clearly, the mystery is perceived when we look to Holy Writ: We are given the gift of life for the purpose of coming to know our Creator, Father God, and to receive His truth while growing in our ability to be like Him . . . loving all that He has created.                                                                  By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

 

Visit my homepage which offers a large number of  “helps” for people who hurt. www.healinglifespain.com