We just watched an old movie, The Ghost of Dickens Past: The untold story of a simple act of charity. It starred Christopher Heyerdahl, who in this presentation bears a striking resemblance to our good friend Pastor Willy Neudahl. True or fictional, the story relays the inspiration behind Dickens’ famous novel A Christmas Carol. Perplexed by the inability to write and yet the driving need to write in order to make money, Dickens is led by a mysterious young girl who helps him see the unintended consequences of his self-driven choices. Arriving back in his present environment he is moved to give generously to a needy family. Upon doing so he realizes at once that his worry and despair were immediately replaced by the joy of turning his thoughts from his own wants and needs to the real needs of others. It was to him, as it is to each of us, the key to a life liberated from the enslaving pursuit of more. It reminds me of the revelation that came after a conversation between a mother and her son:
It’s time to do your studies, said the mom, But why do I need to study asked the boy? Because then you will get good grades. But why do I need good grades? Because then you will be able to graduate. But why do I need to graduate? So then you can go to college. But why do I need to go to college? Because then you can get a good job. But why do I need a good job? So you can marry and have children and support your family. But what comes after that? Well, after that you eventually die. And how will all my accomplishments benefit me then mother?
The procession of questions and answers led them both to ponder in silence, what is actually the true meaning of life. What fuels the purpose of our earthly being? Is it just a procession of tasks and accomplishments to advance our own dreams and feed our own joys? Has it occurred to you lately to consider where your path of endless tasks and accomplishments is leading you – and for what great purpose? A better job for a better house and more things to put in it? More savings for comfortable retirement so I can relax in leisure and satisfy all my desires? I can say for sure, it’s been on my mind. I suppose it is natural that, the less of life you have to live, the more you realize its value. Better yet, that we remember this lesson from the days of our youth and pursue its wisdom with great haste and diligence.
“What is the purpose of my life? What will be the lasting result of all my efforts?”
Jesus summed it up with two commands that should always lead my daily pursuits and energies: To love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. Love God – Love others.
All throughout God’s redemptive story is the constant theme of his consistent, persistent, and relentless pursuit of the very people who ignored him and rebelled against him, people who had no way of paying him back for his endless love and amazing grace, people like you and me. And his story models the pattern for our own lives. The best and most fulfilling lives are those spent in behalf of the hungry and satisfying the needs of the oppressed. For sure, our well-earned gains bring us such temporary pleasures. But the greatest reward is always – always – found in ministering to those Jesus himself called, “the least of these.” In fact, the only way we could possibly serve him and know him is to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit those in prison. (Matthew 25:34-40)
God’s Word makes it clear that such good works do not get us into heaven. That gift is provided only by his grace. But it is by those very selfless works to which our lives are devoted that bring us into the presence of our Lord and that reveal who he is and who we are meant to be in his sight.
Our life purpose is achieved by the untold story of our daily choices. May yours bring you greatest joy!