Letters From Grandpa #102

LETTERS FROM GRANDPA

• 102

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will involve your purpose in life. There is an old joke about the man who was interviewed on top of Mount Everest. When asked how he got there he replied that he really didn’t know. He insisted that he was just wandering around one day and all of a sudden there he was. Yeah right!

Solomon is famous for his search for the purpose, or meaning of life. His struggle is recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes. Throughout that book the expression “under the sun” is found 29 times. In Ecclesiastes 2: Solomon said that he sought for fulfillment in laughter, wine, projects, money, music, and a huge harem. He denied himself nothing that his eyes desired and refused his heart no pleasure. Everything “under the sun”, however, he found to be so meaningless that it was like chasing after the wind. The real purpose of life he discovered , was pleasing God Who is “above the sun”.

Remember that in our last letter we pointed out that Paul focused not on the earthly things he could see, but on unseen things that are eternal. The man who neglects eternal treasure and only lays up treasure on earth is a fool. (Lk. 12:13 - 21). Solomon came to the same conclusion. In Ecclesiastes 12:13 he points out that our real purpose in life involves fearing God and keeping His commandments. Note: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man” (Eccl 12:13).

Since the Olympics Games are going on at ths time, let me remind you about Michael Phelps. This most decorated Olympic athlete not long ago was at the point of suicide. After repeated problems with alcohol and drug abuse he was given a book by a fellow athlete and friend, Ray Lewis. That book was Rick Warren’s best selling “The Purpose Driven Life”. In an ESPN special, Phelps said the book “turned me into believing that there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planet”. He continued that it “helped me when I was in a place that I needed the most help.” Among the many positive things that have happened since including God in his plans, Michael has been reconciled with his father. Check out this link!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbHsyHIJJk

Another famous athlete who has found purpose in life is Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao was born in poverty in the Philippines but rose to fame in the boxing world. He retired from boxing shortly after defeating welterweight Timothy Bradley in a 12-round decision in Las Vegas. In 2012 he was converted to Christ and said: “The Lord raised me from nothing into something for a purpose, not for my purpose but for his purpose.” He has now been elected to the Filipino Senate where he hopes to use his influence to eliminate poverty and make the world a better place in which to live. Pacquiao said he came from “nothing,” but describing his life story as “rags to riches” captures neither the hopelessness of his youth nor the wealth and fame he found through boxing. He found his real purpose in life through serving Christ.

When The Purpose Driven Life first released in 2002, it simultaneously hit No. 1 on the four major best-seller lists. It has been translated into over 50 different languages and more than 32 million copies have been sold throughout the world. Obviously there is a hunger in the human heart for a purpose in life.

Please consider this Scripture from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Remember! It was written from prison. “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil 2:12-13)

I believe that every Christian is “led by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:14). One of the ways that the Spirit directs our lives is by giving us a “will” or “desire”. After the Spirit gives us the desire to do something good, next we receive the “ability” to “act” out that desire. “Willing” and “acting” go together.

One Bible word for “gift” is “charisma”. The root of this word is “chara” which means “joy”. The point is, once you are doing what God is calling you to do, your life is filled with joy. Yes! You will continue to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”, but the yoke will be easy, the burden will seem light, and you will find rest unto your soul (Matt. 11:28 - 30).

I love you.

Grandpa Boyce