Recently the following question was asked of me.
Do you have or can you relate to the feeling of having or wanting nothing to do with this world? Like I want to go and be with the Father. The only reason I want to stay here is for family, nothing else keeps me wanting to be here. Does that make sense? No this is not a declaration of suicidal ideations just for clarification.
After reading this, with some introspection and prayer I formulated by brief response.
I can relate to what you say, or what I believe you are saying. I have and still do have feelings that there must be more than what I see, have, and contribute in this world, something better. I find that I frequently ask; what am I doing here, why am I here, what is it all about. I have not found all the answers and just when I think I have a good answer, at least to some small part of these questions, something happens to change my mind. After all, as we grow and hopefully become a little wiser our views and understanding evolves. Growth and enlightenment are a part of the human experience.
One thing that I can tell you, and believe with all my heart is that, we touch people’s lives. Often in ways so subtle that we may not even realize it. We touch people we know and we also touch the lives of those we may never even have met. For those we touch; the impact may be in a small way or on occasion, possibly life altering. In turn, those whom we have touched go on in their lives and have impact upon others. I think this is one way that God works in us and through us. We are made by God and made for God. We are to be instruments of His will.
Another thing that I firmly believe is that to be with God, we need only open our eyes and see. He is in everything and everyone. The miracle of the Father is that he can be found in the mundane and ordinary things of life. Yes, to be with Him, to know Him, to live within the Beatific Vision is what we as Christians long for. It is what we are made for. But until that day comes for each of us to dwell in the Father’s house, to quote the great 1980's poet Belinda Carlisle, "Heaven is a place on Earth". And this too is what we are made for, to make Heaven on Earth. How? We have been provided that answer by Jesus himself. Yet it is one that is a challenge to live.
Matthew 22:36-40
"‘Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?’ Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.’"
Last year, I read an excellent book that I feel in some ways talks indirectly about some of these questions. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold. I do not believe that this book was intended as a spiritual treatise, but I clearly could see the authors Christiam values shine through.
As members of the Mystical Body of Christ we should live in faith, hope and charity. Assured that he who created life also redeems life. That our time here on earth is no small matter but is part of our Divine mandate of Love. A mandate which we live by the grace of God to the fullest.
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