What are you doing with your life? What's your purpose for being on earth? In a recent discussion of such fundamental questions with some fellow Sr. Citizens, I heard answers that ranged from the noble, "Serving God and/or mankind" to the ignoble, "Biding my time till I die." Some were not sure they wanted to deal with the question. I wonder why.
How people answer will depend on one's beliefs and what stage of life they are in, as well as what they need to do, such as making a living, providing for family, or fulfilling a major obligation. It also depends on what they would like to do in life. Answers might also depend on one's resources, interests and abilities.
Where you live is also a consideration. If you live in a developed country that offers safety, good schools, reliable health services, and a stable government, you have the luxury of choices that people in underdeveloped countries do not have. If you have little, your choices will be more limited than those who have much.
In many places on earth, survival is life's major purpose. Survivors are not worried about lower taxes, health care options, gas mileage or clothing styles. They just want to be able to wake up in the morning, go to work, and make enough to live without starving. When's the last time you worried about those things?
But we all need to ask ourselves what we are doing in life. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."
God urges us in Holy Scripture to serve Him by serving mankind in such a way as to make the world and its people better. American citizens are often torn between self-indulgence and self-sacrifice. It's not that we should feel guilty having some measure of wealth, it's what we do with it. Money is not just meant to be spent, but to be spent wisely. Time is not ours to waste, it is ours to use well.
Words of wisdom for us all!
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