One of the strongest questions hanging over humanity's head is, What is our purpose?
Being inadequate me, I would not have a complete response. Yet from experience, I do have a bit of insight.
Purpose seems to be alluring as well as vague. At some point(s) in our lives we are all wanna be. We want to be doctors, teachers, professional athletes, or movie stars. Dreams are common. But so often we find that someone has to open up the store, attend the committee meeting, fill up the tank, or toss a load into the washer.
Routine can feel so useless as it has a way of dulling our senses. We crave for meaning in life. Is this it? Mundane? Gotta go around with this system again tomorrow? And all of the tomorrows?
There is an answer--almost an answer nobody wants--but an answer that ultimately has meaning and purpose. The answer to our purpose is found very strongly in suffering that others can experience blessings. This is the ultimate style of Jesus and it is passed on to us.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps. This I Peter 2:21 text continues to speak of unfair as well as strict suffering. Take note: it seems that the more one suffers for the benefit of another the more authentic joy escalates.
The answer to the big question is to live willing to be injured and hurt so that even our enemies would have a shot at life. This posture transforms our stinky attitudes and our self-serving agenda. Loving the downtrodden works its way into our senses and emotions. We feel useful, needed, and even holy for a change.
Others. Others who are depressed. Others who are offended. Others receiving our love and support gives us a satisfaction that cannot be explained anymore than Jesus being fulfilled as he breathed his last. It is a God-thing.
This answer will always match the question.
If you have been hurt, abused, offended, ignored or left alone, there are many reactions from which you may operate. When you determine to be hurt even more so that others--even the offenders--can have a new hope...you are onto something that really lives!
It can't be explained. It can only be experienced.
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