Purpose?

I believe it was Plato who said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." This strikes as true today as it did then. Though in Plato's time, people were busy with other things like what to wear and what to eat and such rather than what to post and what to like. At least that is the stark difference in 1st world countries. You could even make the argument that world poverty has gone down quite a bit since the last generation if not much more since Plato said it. But that is all besides the point. The point is that what we do with our lives truly matters. And not having a clear directive or purpose for your life could lead to nihilism.

The issue is compounded when you consider that this generation (Gen Z) is probably the unhappiest generation that has ever lived. But this generation has also a huge advantage in terms of technology today that dwarfs people from a mere 50 years ago. Teenagers today have almost all human knowledge right at their fingertips yet simultaneously, they are the most depressed and anxious generation at least within 100 years.

We need to think very deeply about what matters to us. Not in a shallow way such as getting likes on Instagram, but in a deep way. What matters to you at root? Instagram matters because you like engagements. Why do you like getting engagements? Because it makes you feel good (a dopamine hit to the brain every time someone likes your post). Why do you like to feel good? Because no one likes to feel pain. So we would rather feel pleasure than pain. But is this really what matters in life is pleasure vs pain? There must be something deeper we care about than feeling good right? What could that be? Belonging? We are social creatures, yes. And so belonging is more fundamental than pleasure because I have found that sometimes the best medicine to pain is to share someone's company in a non-judgmental way when you are hurting. Is that bottom? Would that mean that security is more important? Basic needs are more important than security even. But what do all of these things have in common? Need. It is based on a need that we want like, to avoid pain, to be social, to belong, to have security, and to have our basic needs provided for. But eventually, we all die. Well, that's bleak! What are we to do?

Live as if your life has a purpose. That's the fundamental thing that transcends all these problems. With purpose, we can endure any pain, any lack of belonging, any lack of security, any lack of basic needs. Therefore, be cognizant of what the purpose of what you are doing is. Do not take your life for granted. For life is but a puff of smoke. It is here and then gone.

And what would be the best way to root your purpose in something that can get you through anything? God. God can get you through anything. God gives true purpose. Not just a deistic god, or a pantheistic god, but a god who truly cares about you. A God that cares more about you than you care about yourself. That is a lovely idea. A beautiful idea. An eternal idea. If this God cares enough about you to die on the cross for your sins and save you from the wrath of hell, isn't he worth spending some time to get to know? Even if there is just a slight chance He is real, He is worth pursuing with all your heart.

Does your family care about you? Yes, but they are humans just like you. They are fallible. Their life is a vapor just like yours. So you cannot depend on them as the source for your purpose. What about a best friend? Surely there is a man who sticks closer than a brother right? But what if something happens to them? Then what are you going to do? But there is some great news! Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach is the living one, He bled on the cross for your sins! He is always present and is always interceding for us in heaven. He loves us dearly.

So what is your purpose? What do you want? What really gets you going? Is it likes on Instagram, belonging, security, basic necessities? Are these things that really drive you to propel forward in your life? Or are these merely driving you like a slave? Therefore, put away the vanity. Embrace the problem of purpose. Struggle with it till you know.

Examine your life. Find purpose in the small things and the big things alike. Know that there is more to your life than you think. Try and get outside of the autopilot mentality that so many of us find ourselves in. And at bottom, you will find your purpose in Christ.

That's it for this one!

God bless you! Until next time!