| Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages: | ||||||
| Matthew 1 | Matthew 2 | Matthew 3 | Genesis 1 | Genesis 2 | ||
In Genesis we have the beginning of God's interactions with mankind.
God existed before there was man or anything that is known to man such
as sky and earth and universe. All was made for man's existence so God
could relate to him. It was for man's benefit and God's pleasure. There
are many questions that go unanswered such as where did God come from?
But there is only one question with which mankind really needs to
concern themselves and that is the purpose of their existence.
The age-old question that man historically ponders without answer is the question, "What is the purpose or meaning of life?" Apart from God the question truly is unanswerable. But with God in the equation it is not a difficult question at all: "My purpose is to give pleasure to God." While this may seem to be a rather oppressive answer, when one comes to realize the nature of this relationship in giving pleasure to God, they discover that it is not a one-sided relationship at all. God returns pleasure as well. And one of the ways He does is in giving meaning to our lives. This one benefit is the source of most all other pleasure man receives through his relationship with God.
We are drawn to accounts in the Bible, such as the first chapters of Matthew, in which Mary and Joseph play the roles God gave them in giving birth to Jesus and raising Him as their child. In fact, we are drawn to most all accounts in the Bible in which God uses a person for His purposes. Is this not because we are attracted to the significance of purpose we see in the lives of these people as they cooperate in God's purpose? We all want to have purpose in our lives and to feel we make a difference during the short period we exist on this earth. And we find this is only possible when we align our lives with God's purpose for us. Doing so brings pleasure to God and to us.
The age-old question that man historically ponders without answer is the question, "What is the purpose or meaning of life?" Apart from God the question truly is unanswerable. But with God in the equation it is not a difficult question at all: "My purpose is to give pleasure to God." While this may seem to be a rather oppressive answer, when one comes to realize the nature of this relationship in giving pleasure to God, they discover that it is not a one-sided relationship at all. God returns pleasure as well. And one of the ways He does is in giving meaning to our lives. This one benefit is the source of most all other pleasure man receives through his relationship with God.
We are drawn to accounts in the Bible, such as the first chapters of Matthew, in which Mary and Joseph play the roles God gave them in giving birth to Jesus and raising Him as their child. In fact, we are drawn to most all accounts in the Bible in which God uses a person for His purposes. Is this not because we are attracted to the significance of purpose we see in the lives of these people as they cooperate in God's purpose? We all want to have purpose in our lives and to feel we make a difference during the short period we exist on this earth. And we find this is only possible when we align our lives with God's purpose for us. Doing so brings pleasure to God and to us.
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