"What can it profit a man to gain the whole world and come to his property with a gastric ulcer, a blown prostrate and bifocals?"
~ John Steinbeck in Cannery RowA non-believer, scientist-type, once asked the question all people, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Catholics, Jews, everybody - asks in their life:
"Why do we bother to exist?"
That's a good question.
A question worth asking and an answer worth repeating.
If you believe life extends beyond what is experienced on Earth, the answer to the question changes everything in how you live now.
The question is actually, 'Is this life, the one you are living right now, is this the goal of your existence?'
Jesus didn't think so.
But Culture does, at least, until normal, everyday culture is interrupted.
For those who are in High School right now, the nation has always been at war; they have never truly known what it is like to live in a country who's military is at peace.
When I was younger, our lives were interrupted from time to time by school shootings; Columbine, Jonesboro, etc.
Today, Sandy Hook was the most recent; but teenagers have also heard of a madman in Colorado who stood in a movie theatre and began shooting. They have seen images of the Islamic State on television, or worse - the internet, as they proclaimed Jihad and executed pilots by burning them to death, rape women in opposition villages and, most recently, entered a church service and murdered a priest in France.
Yet, in those times, whether it was the mid-90's or today; whether it is cancer, a death of a loved one, or another terrorist attack in Europe - I find it amazing as to how silent culture quickly becomes.
Culture, in those times, atheists in particular, fall silent.
When the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred on American soil, I watched as did millions of others, as the very government leaders who sought to remove 'religion' from public life in their youth, stood on the Capitol steps to sing 'God Bless America' and pray.
In their graying years in that moment, they were searching for answers; gathering then in a Cathedral to hear 'America's Pastor,' Billy Graham speak of the tragedy and point onlookers to the Cross of Christ.
Yes, society, culture and many times, ourselves - we fall silent when tragedy strikes because we are faced with the undeniable truth that if we are truly left to ourselves in this world, there is no hope to offer.
It is hopeless when people who are struggling try to make sense of situations that just don't make sense.
Of all mammals, only mankind knows that we are going to die.
We know our lives will come to an end; and we do everything we possibly can to hide that fact from our minds, as we try to prevent it at all costs.
When death comes, or disease, or terror - humanity as a whole has an outrage over it; the senselessness that we can't explain away.
This proves to any person with an open mind that we are not merely animals; for, by example, if a hunter kills a deer in the woods who has been standing with several other deer, when the shot rings forth and it falls - the other deer may not move at all.
But if they do run away, some will return out of curiosity, wondering what that noise was that they heard; all the while forgetting the impending danger.
Christ alone brings man to terms with death in such a way that He will offer an explanation.
And in His explanation, He provides hope for the future.
What we learn is simple - death is not the end at all, but a beginning; it is the beginning of an eternity we cannot yet grasp.
This and this alone provides hope to the struggling and troubled soul.
The idea that every person has an absolute value is purely a Christian thought.
One will not find this in the theological processes of traditional Judaism; for, only some are deemed to be part of the 'chosen race.'
This will not be found in the great thinkers of Islam; for, some will die to propagate their faith, or even kill those who fail to convert.
Intrinsic value of every human being, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, gender, wealth or whatever stigma you may place on them - ALL PEOPLE have value before God and man.
The reason is because every human is an 'image bearer;' holding the image of God within themselves for all eternity in their very make-up.
Opposed to culture, there is a very different set of qualification which make one fit or 'rich' within the Kingdom Christ spoke of while He was on earth.
Jesus chose those who were considered the least in their culture; societal rejects such as a woman who had been married 5 times and living with another when she met Him.
People who stole from their own countrymen under the guise of being an official tax collector.
Men who were plagued with leprosy and could never come to worship at the temple; yet, they were touched, healed and worshipped alongside the chosen disciples.
The men and women received by Jesus are the same men and women we are to receive among us today; though we often forget He sought those who were considered undesirable.
Remember, it was the religious elite who crucified Him; and after knowing many who have considered themselves 'religious,' I can honestly understand why Jesus preferred the prostitutes and sinners.
It is because they were real.
They came with no preconceived notions or thoughts about Him.
All they knew is that He was different and He had received them where they were at in life; as such, every Christian should do the same.
And that, my dear reader, is why we exist.
We exist that we may glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
It is the difference between living life, and embracing life with a joyful future ahead.
As such, what better way to glorify Him in this life than to seek out those whom the world has rejected, but God has flung open the doors of heaven to receive into the Kingdom?
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
