Why we are here. Wait, why are we here?
Sometimes I wonder this myself. OK, maybe not sometimes. All the time.
Why are we here? Not here, like, in Madeira. That’s obvious: the great schools, great community, high taxes.
Instead, why are we here, on earth?
I have a confession: I struggle with purpose. A lot. I lose sleep over it. I wonder if I’m wasting my time all the time. I desire, more than anything, to feel fulfilled.
And I don’t feel fulfilled.
So maybe this is something done out of selfish ambition. But I want more.
Jesus tells us that we should concern ourselves with two things in life: loving God and loving others. Specifically, our “neighbors,” which is a fancy way to say anyone we come into contact with.
But I also think Jesus used the word “neighbors” for a reason. You see, it’s one thing to go out and try to change the world. But to be truly effective, I’m convinced you have to take up residence in the area you want to serve.
Jesus modeled this himself.
One of the most powerful chapters in the Bible is Philippians 2. Here, Paul explains exactly what Jesus did for us, something I don’t consider nearly enough.
So consider: He was God. And he gave that up. Why? So he could come live with us. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a big deal. We live here and seem to get on just fine. But he was giving up perfection to live among the broken. He didn’t have to. But he did. So he could serve us.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
As Eugene H. Peterson translates, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14)
Let those verses wash over you for a second. Jesus gave up everything to live with us. And not so he could lord himself over us or make us feel small about ourselves. Instead, he did it so he could serve us in every way possible.
My wife and I, we have a vision. The problem is, we’re not Jesus. Instead, we’re a mess. Both of us. Even on our best days. But we want to serve the community in which we live as best we can.
We’ll take all the help we can get. But if you need help, let us know. We’ll do our best, I promise.