I’m sure most of you have been to Disneyland and have probably been on their famous Jungle Cruse Ride. And, if you remember, as your group is pulling away from the dock, your cruise guide asks you to turn around and wave good-bye to all those left behind as your life is about to take a “dramatic turn.” In other words – you may never see them again! Life as you know it is over with – forever! Yikes! Not funny!!
Fortunately for us, John 10:10 tells us that although the thief has come to steal, and to kill & destroy, Jesus has come that we might have abundant life through Him. And one translation actually tells us we can have a better life than we ever dreamed of!
So many people struggle with purpose in their lives. If asked, many well-known public figures have ‘answers’ for us. Try these on for size:
Oprah Winfrey: “You’ve got to figure it out by yourself.” The Materialist: “Life is all about getting things”
Self-Group Group: “You’ve got to create your own purpose in life”
Carl Yung: “I don’t know the meaning of life or the purpose of life, but it looks as if something were meant by it.”
Joseph Taylor: “I have no answers to the meaning of life and I and longer want to search for any.”
It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland where Alice approaches a fork in the road. She spies a Cheshire cat nearby and asks him which road she should take? The cat replies by asking Alice where she wants to go — Alice doesn’t know. The cat responds with: “Then it doesn’t matter which road you take!” Profound answer. Purpose always has direction but how often do we simply not understand this? Life is a journey and every journey has a destination.
There’s an interesting story of a young 5 year old boy who showed up one day to play T-ball. It was now the last inning – bases were loaded and there were two outs and the other guys were up to bat. The hitter hauled off and swatted the ball way out into left field. Every eye watched it sail toward the new little guy. He saw it coming, ran toward it and just barely missed the game-winning catch. It plopped down in front of him rolling right into his glove.
One runner had crossed home plate but there was still time to throw home and tie the game. Everyone in the bleachers was yelling, “Throw it! Hurry up – throw the ball.” But to the surprise of both sides, the little guy pulled it close, hunkered down and held onto it like a prize trophy. He seemed to be saying, “I have waited all afternoon for this thing and I’m not about to let go of it now.” The crowd went nuts. “Throw the ball kid. Hurry up – throw it!” And the poor coach looked like he was just about to have a coronary right there on the spot. The entire game hinged on this play.
About this stately a tall, stately man came out of the stands and walked slowly toward him. Dad. His father stooped down and hugged the little fellow as he stubbornly clutched the ball. Then his dad spoke to him – and moved his hands at the same time. Sign language. A hush fell over the stands. “It’s OK son give me the ball.” I heard him say, as he signed the words.
Embarrassed heads bowed. The little boy looked his dad in the face; tears spilled out of his eyes but he slowly turns over the coveted ball. He simply did not get it. He did not understand the game. In his child’s mind he just wanted the ball. He didn’t hear the crowd – He could not – he was deaf. But not understanding cost the game.
Understanding! It’s a big deal. Proverbs 4 tells us this: “Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding! Throw your arms around her – believe me, you won’t regret it; Never let her go – she’ll make your life glorious. She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”
It’s easy to get comfortable and not understand our God-given purpose in life. Les Brown says it this way: “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determine to carry out their dream.” Understanding – worth the get.
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org
