Purpose

    Sitting here in my office with the window open, I can hear the sound of water drops falling from the roof onto the stony ground. I think it rained last night, or maybe even early this morning. Gray clouds gently pass by taking the rain with them and giving way to light blue skies. The sun still hides behind the tall mountains to the east. It’s early in the morning and I enjoy a still quietness around me while most of my world still sleeps. At some distance I can hear the occasional sounds of phoebes and little gold finches greeting the early hours of the morning. It’s a new day, with new promises, promises of love, life, and mercy.
    This past week, what had been threatening to happen for several months finally happened as my mother closed her eyes to life on this earth. During these last few months, prayers for healing gave way to prayers for wisdom, then prayers of surrendering of the will, and finally to prayers for peace, strength, and comfort. Someone told me that my mother prepared herself and her family for this moment. Looking back I can see how true this statement is. For the past few months, she helped us realize what a good life she had, but also what a better life awaits her. To her last breath, she was working to help us prepare for a life without her daily presence in this earth and for an eternity together in Heaven. For now she rests from the cares of this world. The time spent with her and our conversations, made me realize the vanity, but also the purpose of life here on earth. We humans are constantly running to and from, so busy with so many things. Think about your day yesterday. What did you accomplish for eternity? Were you so busy with your daily activities that the 24 hours you were given were wasted with things of no true value? Those precious hours, an incredible gift from God, will never be recovered. What about the 24 hours that we are graciously being given today? I was looking at the little birds the other day and thinking about their lives. They are busy gathering their food and feeding their young, but also spend so much time flying, enjoying the sky, and singing from tree to tree. They know their Heavenly Father is taking care of them and they will lack nothing they truly need. I know humans are more complex creatures with more complex emotions and way of thinking, but there is something to be learned. I envy the birds’ contentment with life. They’re not busy worried if their nests obey the rules of Feng Shui, if it’s minimalist enough, or even if their homes are full to the brim with a bunch of cool stuff. They are content with their lives and so they have time to spend exploring the skies and singing praises to their Creator. I envy that!
    These past few months I have been blessed to see through my mother what a life completely focused on Christ truly is and I must say it’s beautiful. Even simply laying in bed, my mom showed us what the real purpose of our earthly life is. In the midst of our daily activities, Christ must be the center of it all, and sharing Him with those around us starting with our family is our purpose. Everything we do every single moment of our day must be for Him and only the complete surrender of our will to Christ will prepare us for life eternal. And there is nothing more I desire than eternal life, a life without sin and suffering. How wonderful it sounds! I’ll get to walk on streets made of gold, spend forever with my mother and my father, and continually praise the One who gave everything so He can enjoy eternal life with me! But I must share this reality with others because Heaven is great news! Jesus’ burden while on this earth was the salvation of others and He said I should trade my burden for His. This means I too must have the salvation of those around me and sharing His love for all as the center of my mission.
    The sun has finally appeared lighting the roof tops of the houses around me. The sky is now a beautiful blue and there is a choir of birds outside greeting the day. The scent of a brand new morning gently makes its way into my office through the open window. I just heard the sound of a car driving in front of the house. My world is slowly waking up and soon I’ll enjoy the blessing of the voices of people I love so much. All I can say is that God is good and I am tremendously blessed! 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."

Isaiah 40:8