When we ask questions sometimes they are not meant to be answered. The Big questions like is there a God, what is the purpose of life, why is their suffering in the world, how did life begin? Sometimes when we raise a question, we are not actually seeking an answer. We are simply wondering or initiating a dialogue. To stifle wonder is to crush passion, creativity, and freedom. A quick answer to life’s biggest questions not only stops us from wondering, but it make us feel unsatisfied, frustrated, or hopeless. We may feel like there has to be more.
Many questions don’t have answers. These questions are meant to be discussed. Answers are not found in a quick or simple response but in a life long pursuit of the truth, a pursuit of learning, experiencing, and discussing these questions. We find purpose on this pursuit or journey of seeking answers. This journey is one of formulating some kind of stable thought that will suffice for a time and offer some comfort or consolation. These temporary answers only satisfy for a time and then we begin to ask the questions again or in a different manner. After learning or experiencing something new, we reformulate or thought our prior beliefs. We construct a more solid and satisfying answer. The point of these questions is about the search or the journey, not the destination of finding an answer. Much more is learned in the pursuit then in the conclusion. Whether a completely satisfying answer is ever reached is not the sole purpose of asking the question.
Life is also a journey, not a destination to be reached. Having financial security, a good job, a house, a family, a wife, love, or success, although these may be important aspects of life to be maintained or sought after, they are not the sole purpose of life. What would happen when these aspects of life are achieved? Then the journey is over, the destination has been reached. Life can become depressing and meaningless. Choose a path that has a goal in mind, but would take ten lifetimes to achieve. Dream big and love deep. Have a purpose outside yourself. Let your life be about the journey and what happens along the way. Life is a give and take with others as we are on the journey together.
Let your life be a journey, a discussion, with no final destination or quick answers. Let your life be a search for truth and a have a purpose beyond just yourself.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
In The Moment
Why can’t I be more in the moment? It is so hard for me to keep my mind on the day-to-day. I get so distracted with thoughts of the future, that I am taken out of the moment. My mind is constantly dreaming of the future; the new plans of what my life will look like and adventures I will experience. Why can’t I jus be content with where I am or at least have a balance of reminiscing of the past, enjoying the present and occasionally dreaming of the future. I rarely speak of the past and reflect on past experiences. I am in the moment when I am with people, but when I have time alone in my own thoughts, they are always running ahead. I am excited about the dreams and desires the Lord has put in me, I just wish I was more in the balance. I guess that is what I strive for in all aspects of my life...balance
Monday, December 6, 2010
On Death
The last few years of my life I have thought about death almost everyday. This may seem morbid or a waste of time. It is not something that I try to think about, it just comes into my head. I have many fears about death, because it is such a big unknown. I wonder what will happen after death. I believe what the Bible says about life after death, but sometimes I doubt. Is there really a heaven? And if so, what does it look like?
I am always thinking: what if my wife or family member dies? What if I die? These thoughts are good if they lead to positive conclusions. These thoughts and questions often lead me to: what is my purpose on this earth? If I was to die tomorrow what matters today? If I die tomorrow does is matter how much money or possession I have?
Thinking about death helps me to see my life from the correct perspective. It helps to me to put my priorities in the correct order and see life as a gift. I am able to count my blessings. These thoughts help me to appreciate and love people in the moment.
I am always thinking: what if my wife or family member dies? What if I die? These thoughts are good if they lead to positive conclusions. These thoughts and questions often lead me to: what is my purpose on this earth? If I was to die tomorrow what matters today? If I die tomorrow does is matter how much money or possession I have?
Thinking about death helps me to see my life from the correct perspective. It helps to me to put my priorities in the correct order and see life as a gift. I am able to count my blessings. These thoughts help me to appreciate and love people in the moment.
Who is a Father?
Friday night was the best night I have had with the students. We talked all night, told stories and asked each other questions. We talked about girls, school, futures, family, marriage, life and careers. I encouraged them to begin to see themselves as husbands, leaders, and as the fathers they have never had.
They asked me to tell them honestly all the things that were different and funny about Africa or Africans. I broke every cultural sensitivity rule that you learn when training to do mission work… and it was amazing!! I was very hesitant at first, but just like with my friends in the states, when you love and trust each other there is a freedom to joke and laugh about your differences. These differences were not offensive but hilarious. The more details and examples I gave, then the harder we laughed.
This was the first time that I had truly and deeply laughed here in Kenya. Humor is one of the last things that translates cross-culturally. Humor is always different depending on where you are. So to find the same things funny and to laugh together was a bonding moment. We were together.
By the end of the night there were about 5-6 boys remaining with me. I noted that these 5-6 students who remained are the same boys who are here over the holiday break. These are the boys that have little or no family to go home to on the holidays; no fathers, mother, or relatives to care from them. When asked who their role models are they often say a close friend that is their same age. They don’t have deep or intimate relationships with adults; no teachers, parents, grandparents or church leaders. Because of the time we spent together and the closeness we felt, they told me that I was like a father to them that night. I was taken-a-back by this statement because I felt more like a peer or a friend, but not a father.
For them a father is someone who listens, encourages, and cares for them. A father is someone who can offer some kind of guidance and wants to know what is going on inside their minds. This is how they feel loved and I think this is true for most people. They have never had an older male figure who has sat with them at night and shared openly with one another. In fact, even some people who have dads don’t have these special times of deep, intimate conversation. It was so sad for me to learn that they have never had a father figure in their life, but I was encouraged that I could be with them for that night and hopefully there will be more moments like this in the future.
They asked me to tell them honestly all the things that were different and funny about Africa or Africans. I broke every cultural sensitivity rule that you learn when training to do mission work… and it was amazing!! I was very hesitant at first, but just like with my friends in the states, when you love and trust each other there is a freedom to joke and laugh about your differences. These differences were not offensive but hilarious. The more details and examples I gave, then the harder we laughed.
This was the first time that I had truly and deeply laughed here in Kenya. Humor is one of the last things that translates cross-culturally. Humor is always different depending on where you are. So to find the same things funny and to laugh together was a bonding moment. We were together.
By the end of the night there were about 5-6 boys remaining with me. I noted that these 5-6 students who remained are the same boys who are here over the holiday break. These are the boys that have little or no family to go home to on the holidays; no fathers, mother, or relatives to care from them. When asked who their role models are they often say a close friend that is their same age. They don’t have deep or intimate relationships with adults; no teachers, parents, grandparents or church leaders. Because of the time we spent together and the closeness we felt, they told me that I was like a father to them that night. I was taken-a-back by this statement because I felt more like a peer or a friend, but not a father.
For them a father is someone who listens, encourages, and cares for them. A father is someone who can offer some kind of guidance and wants to know what is going on inside their minds. This is how they feel loved and I think this is true for most people. They have never had an older male figure who has sat with them at night and shared openly with one another. In fact, even some people who have dads don’t have these special times of deep, intimate conversation. It was so sad for me to learn that they have never had a father figure in their life, but I was encouraged that I could be with them for that night and hopefully there will be more moments like this in the future.
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