What does it mean to have "purpose" in your life? And would you consider it unfortunate if a person does not have purpose in their lives? Why or why not?
Oct 16, 2012, 9:43 AM
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Oct 16, 2012, 9:43 AM
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Kenny :
What does it mean to have "purpose" in your life? And would you consider it unfortunate if a person does not have purpose in their lives? Why or why not?
A good question Kenny. One that I suspect no one can fully answer but just offer some personal insights and opinions.
The author of Ecclesiastes pondered that age old question and came to the depressing conclusion that everything we do on earth is of little eternal consequence, all is ‘in vain’ if it is lasting happiness that we are striving for. The fact is that everything we do will eventually be forgotten. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun.”
Not entirely true of course. So far as we know man had never before walked upon the moon but in the era that ‘the preacher’ lived in ‘walking on the moon’ would certainly have qualified as something that could be pointed to legitimately and spoken of thus. “See, this is new.” Eccl. 1:10 Though man’s irrepressible curiosity still driving the desire to explore and expand horizons is nothing new at all.
If leaving some admirable legacy or monument to our brief existence as an individual here on earth is high on our personal agenda, then I fear many will be profoundly disappointed as the millennia roll inexorably on into deep space-time. Shelly got it about right in his poem Ozymandias :
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".
For a full meditation on the thread topic you have started I advise a complete reading of Ecclesiastes in a readable translation such as NIV, RSV, NEB etc.
The most beautiful poetic description of old age comes at the end, full of poetic metaphor, (for those who understand), (Eccl. 12:1-14), and some very wise advice.
This promises to be a very interesting thread once we have done the background reading.
Regards as always - Chris.
What does it mean to have "purpose" in your life? And would you consider it unfortunate if a person does not have purpose in their lives? Why or why not?
A good question Kenny. One that I suspect no one can fully answer but just offer some personal insights and opinions.
The author of Ecclesiastes pondered that age old question and came to the depressing conclusion that everything we do on earth is of little eternal consequence, all is ‘in vain’ if it is lasting happiness that we are striving for. The fact is that everything we do will eventually be forgotten. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun.”
Not entirely true of course. So far as we know man had never before walked upon the moon but in the era that ‘the preacher’ lived in ‘walking on the moon’ would certainly have qualified as something that could be pointed to legitimately and spoken of thus. “See, this is new.” Eccl. 1:10 Though man’s irrepressible curiosity still driving the desire to explore and expand horizons is nothing new at all.
If leaving some admirable legacy or monument to our brief existence as an individual here on earth is high on our personal agenda, then I fear many will be profoundly disappointed as the millennia roll inexorably on into deep space-time. Shelly got it about right in his poem Ozymandias :
Quote:
I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".
For a full meditation on the thread topic you have started I advise a complete reading of Ecclesiastes in a readable translation such as NIV, RSV, NEB etc.
The most beautiful poetic description of old age comes at the end, full of poetic metaphor, (for those who understand), (Eccl. 12:1-14), and some very wise advice.
This promises to be a very interesting thread once we have done the background reading.
Regards as always - Chris.
Oct 16, 2012, 8:10 PM
Veteran / Moderator (2590 posts)
Oct 16, 2012, 8:10 PM
Post #3 of 14
Views: 1122
Hi, Kenny,
I'm glad Chris got to you before I did (LOL). I knew he would have plenty to say.
For me, your question was a little too broad. I need to have the definition narrowed down before I can comment... but that is just me.
Or give me an example of purpose.
Blessings ~ Sarah
I'm glad Chris got to you before I did (LOL). I knew he would have plenty to say.
For me, your question was a little too broad. I need to have the definition narrowed down before I can comment... but that is just me.
Or give me an example of purpose.
Blessings ~ Sarah
Oct 17, 2012, 8:45 PM
User (315 posts)
Oct 17, 2012, 8:45 PM
Post #4 of 14
Views: 1095
I would say when one has “purpose” in their life; thispurpose is something they build their life around; something that guideseverything they do. I would say purposein one’s life can be negative or positive. On positive a person can be driven to make a difference in his communityby feeding the hungry, running for office to help politically, or gettinginvolved in their religion in a way that guides everything they do. (depending upon the religion; that could be negative though)
On the negative; well I’ve known of some drug addicts whoselife is built around getting their next fix and this guides everything they do.A slave’s purpose in life might be to serve his master. What do you think?
Ken
Oct 17, 2012, 9:02 PM
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Oct 17, 2012, 9:02 PM
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Thanks, Kenny. I have several thoughts on this. I think a drug addicts purpose is not to get a fix, but to make it through the day. I would say that getting the fix is a "goal" on the way to accomplishing his purpose.
I also don't think that feeding the hungry or running for office are purposes... I think they are goals on the way to fulfilling a purpose. The candidates purpose might be notoriety for himself, or it could, I suppose to be with the goal (or purpose) of doing good for people.
I think there are certain groups (religions?) whose purpose is to wipe out Christians or maybe to take down the USA. So they wipe out the Twin Towers. That was a goal.
I guess what I am coming to is that my definition of a purpose is bigger (higher) than the steps it takes to get there. There is an old Christian song that says: To be like Jesus; to be like Him; all I want is to be like Him. But that is really a goal; because what is the purpose for being like Him?
So those are my thoughts tonight. :)
Blessings ~ Sarah
I also don't think that feeding the hungry or running for office are purposes... I think they are goals on the way to fulfilling a purpose. The candidates purpose might be notoriety for himself, or it could, I suppose to be with the goal (or purpose) of doing good for people.
I think there are certain groups (religions?) whose purpose is to wipe out Christians or maybe to take down the USA. So they wipe out the Twin Towers. That was a goal.
I guess what I am coming to is that my definition of a purpose is bigger (higher) than the steps it takes to get there. There is an old Christian song that says: To be like Jesus; to be like Him; all I want is to be like Him. But that is really a goal; because what is the purpose for being like Him?
So those are my thoughts tonight. :)
Blessings ~ Sarah
Oct 17, 2012, 9:07 PM
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Oct 17, 2012, 9:07 PM
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Chris, you quote in Ecc. that there is nothing new under the sun and that brings even more question about was there really a walk on the moon. I think you have to come up with something more substantial to prove that point! :)
Blessings ~ Sarah
Blessings ~ Sarah
Oct 18, 2012, 4:09 AM
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Oct 18, 2012, 4:09 AM
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Views: 1056
Sarah :
that brings even more question about was there really a walk on the moon
You naughty girl Sarah. Inviting us to go on a moon walk rabbit trail, indeed !!!!! LOL.
Actually, as I pointed out, I think that Neil Armstrong actually did do something 'new' under the sun, (at least as far as walking where no man had ever walked before), but also 'not new' because he merely represented mankind's curiosity and insatiable quest for knowledge, (a God given gift endowed from birth). He was simply doing what mankind has always done, explored.
As to the question of whether it was all an elaborate hoax, there is no need for a star spangled banner up there for proof, I guess the sheer amount of junk they littered the place with will be proof enough that they were Americans.
I wouldn't be surprised if future visitors find dozens of empty coke cans and empty BigMack cartons all over the place.
Best Regards - Chris.
that brings even more question about was there really a walk on the moon
You naughty girl Sarah. Inviting us to go on a moon walk rabbit trail, indeed !!!!! LOL.
Actually, as I pointed out, I think that Neil Armstrong actually did do something 'new' under the sun, (at least as far as walking where no man had ever walked before), but also 'not new' because he merely represented mankind's curiosity and insatiable quest for knowledge, (a God given gift endowed from birth). He was simply doing what mankind has always done, explored.
As to the question of whether it was all an elaborate hoax, there is no need for a star spangled banner up there for proof, I guess the sheer amount of junk they littered the place with will be proof enough that they were Americans.
I wouldn't be surprised if future visitors find dozens of empty coke cans and empty BigMack cartons all over the place. Best Regards - Chris.
Oct 18, 2012, 9:26 AM
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Oct 18, 2012, 9:26 AM
Post #9 of 14
Views: 1024
Kenny :
I think having ‘purpose’ in ones life does not so much depend on what we as individuals might strive after. It is more a case of honestly being what we are. Shakespeare wrote one of his characters as saying “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Just being honest with God, ourselves and others is the ‘purpose’ that is of paramount importance. The preacher in Ecclesiastes reached the same conclusion in different words in Chapter 12.
For some, being ‘honest with God” might even entail suspending belief in God’s existence, (if he is indeed a loving God), when we look around us at the world in which we have to live. That is what makes ‘faith that God loves us’ a valuable commodity in a world that is generally lacking in love.
What we may purpose to do will usually proceed out of the kind of person we are.
A slave’s purpose in life might be to serve his master.
A slaves purpose in life might also be to take what ever opportunity might present itself to make good their escape and gain their freedom or simply to get through a day without being beaten or abused. The slave owners ‘purpose’ in owning the slave is almost certainly very different from the slaves ‘purpose’ in life.
You are right, ‘purpose’ can be either good or evil just as deeds can be good or bad, depending on your point of view or position in life.
Regards Chris.
I think having ‘purpose’ in ones life does not so much depend on what we as individuals might strive after. It is more a case of honestly being what we are. Shakespeare wrote one of his characters as saying “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Just being honest with God, ourselves and others is the ‘purpose’ that is of paramount importance. The preacher in Ecclesiastes reached the same conclusion in different words in Chapter 12.
For some, being ‘honest with God” might even entail suspending belief in God’s existence, (if he is indeed a loving God), when we look around us at the world in which we have to live. That is what makes ‘faith that God loves us’ a valuable commodity in a world that is generally lacking in love.
What we may purpose to do will usually proceed out of the kind of person we are.
A slave’s purpose in life might be to serve his master.
A slaves purpose in life might also be to take what ever opportunity might present itself to make good their escape and gain their freedom or simply to get through a day without being beaten or abused. The slave owners ‘purpose’ in owning the slave is almost certainly very different from the slaves ‘purpose’ in life.
You are right, ‘purpose’ can be either good or evil just as deeds can be good or bad, depending on your point of view or position in life.
Regards Chris.
Oct 19, 2012, 8:30 PM
User (141 posts)
Oct 19, 2012, 8:30 PM
Post #10 of 14
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Well Ken, I've completed two main careers in my life, theatre owner/manager and radio broadcaster. I've also had experience as a police officer/security guard, interim pastor and retail clerk. At 80 years I'm still in pretty good shape and wondering what the Lord wants me to do now. My passion is to open a "Family friendly" cinema to use as an evangelical tool. Or pastor a church. But He hasn't given me any direction yet. I would appreciate any prayers for direction from anyone.
Oct 20, 2012, 3:53 AM
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Oct 20, 2012, 3:53 AM
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chaplainbob :
A wise friend once pointed out to me, (when discussion turned to the subject of guidance from God), that when it comes to getting 'guidance' from God we are like a ship in the water. A ship which is not purposefully moving in some direction cannot be steered, she is helpless and uncontrollable, whereas if she has some 'way on' in any direction at all, she can then be steered and directed, with very little pressure on the tiller, in the way that the skipper wants her to go.
Unless we are willing to risk that our direction, might not be quite what the 'skipper' wants but, at least we are moving somewhere, we are unlikely to be 'guided' by God into what he has decided should be our destiny.
Perhaps your "passion" will be endorsed by God's approval. He's just waiting to see if your 'passion' is enough to get to started on it.
The vicar of a church I grew up in had a standard response to anyone who came to him with 'a good idea to do something'. He would say. "Well when are you going to do it then? You have my backing!"
Regards Chris.
A wise friend once pointed out to me, (when discussion turned to the subject of guidance from God), that when it comes to getting 'guidance' from God we are like a ship in the water. A ship which is not purposefully moving in some direction cannot be steered, she is helpless and uncontrollable, whereas if she has some 'way on' in any direction at all, she can then be steered and directed, with very little pressure on the tiller, in the way that the skipper wants her to go.
Unless we are willing to risk that our direction, might not be quite what the 'skipper' wants but, at least we are moving somewhere, we are unlikely to be 'guided' by God into what he has decided should be our destiny.
Perhaps your "passion" will be endorsed by God's approval. He's just waiting to see if your 'passion' is enough to get to started on it.
The vicar of a church I grew up in had a standard response to anyone who came to him with 'a good idea to do something'. He would say. "Well when are you going to do it then? You have my backing!"
Regards Chris.
Oct 20, 2012, 4:08 AM
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Oct 20, 2012, 4:08 AM
Post #12 of 14
Views: 939
Thanks Chris. I really appreciate your input.
Oct 20, 2012, 11:20 AM
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Oct 20, 2012, 11:20 AM
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[I think having ‘purpose’ in ones life does not so much depend on what we as individuals might strive after. It is more a case of honestly being what we are.]
Chris, that was a brilliant two statements! It is when we are honestly being ourselves that the Holy Spirit can come into us and use us. If we are striving, He has no place in us! Awesome!
Blessings ~ Sarah
Chris, that was a brilliant two statements! It is when we are honestly being ourselves that the Holy Spirit can come into us and use us. If we are striving, He has no place in us! Awesome!
Blessings ~ Sarah
Oct 20, 2012, 11:37 AM
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Oct 20, 2012, 11:37 AM
Post #14 of 14
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[A wise friend once pointed out to me, (when discussion turned to the subject of guidance from God), that when it comes to getting 'guidance' from God we are like a ship in the water. A ship which is not purposefully moving in some direction cannot be steered, she is helpless and uncontrollable, whereas if she has some 'way on' in any direction at all, she can then be steered and directed, with very little pressure on the tiller, in the way that the skipper wants her to go.]
When I was first saved, my pastor and his wife gave me a picture that I had fallen in love with. It was painted on a piece of redwood and had been glazed over with that heavy "bar finish". The picture was of a ship in front of the horizon at sunset, and the verse was, "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for."
That is a good thing for us Christians to remember. When we gave our life to Him, it was for Him to use us as He desired, not for us to demand that He work things out our way. We are not some being that directs all those around us in order to accomplish our purpose. We are a vessel, made of flesh and blood, that Jesus can live through and guide and direct to touch those who are still on this earth. We are simply a ship. He is the captain. :)
Blessings ~ Sarah
When I was first saved, my pastor and his wife gave me a picture that I had fallen in love with. It was painted on a piece of redwood and had been glazed over with that heavy "bar finish". The picture was of a ship in front of the horizon at sunset, and the verse was, "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for."
That is a good thing for us Christians to remember. When we gave our life to Him, it was for Him to use us as He desired, not for us to demand that He work things out our way. We are not some being that directs all those around us in order to accomplish our purpose. We are a vessel, made of flesh and blood, that Jesus can live through and guide and direct to touch those who are still on this earth. We are simply a ship. He is the captain. :)
Blessings ~ Sarah