There is much more to our existence on planet earth than mere survival. I define survival as the struggle to make ends-meet or to amass wealth for self-aggrandizement. Thus, the survival mindset is basically that of working solely to own a house, put food on one's table, get married, raise children, have a bank account, own a car or cars, own a plot of land, and "that's it, nothing more."
Ironically, this is the sole vision of life the world is "selling" to us all. I said in Chicago last year during my mentorship program that, the highly celebrated "American Dream" of a house, car and others is the highest form of poverty if one's pursuit is limited to that. The definition of success based on "acquiring and acquiring" is one of the greatest deceptions of modern times.
Inasmuch as we need certain things to make life worth living, it's gross ignorance of a higher proportion to live solely for things without a sense of purpose attached to our existence that gives meaning to the things we have. Success in life is more than what one acquires; we were destined, empowered and sent to the planet earth for more serious matters than merely what we can amass for ourselves.
What we acquire during our lifetime on earth, may serve as potential tools for the realization of far-reaching aims for which we were born to accomplish. Life is purpose! We would never make full sense of what our existence is all about if we are unconscious of our purpose of existence.
The greatest questions of life are not what? how? where? when? Who? But "why?" What gives meaning to what? how? where? when? who? Is the knowledge of "why?"
When we start asking "why" about everything around us and living our lives with the consciousness of fulfilling the "why" of our existence, every other thing in life will have proper fitting. "Things are bound to fall apart if the center can't hold." The center of life isn't potential, but purpose. Potential is blind without a sense a purpose. And, potential can be greatly abused if it isn't tailored to accomplish the purpose for which it was designed.
Potential is what we have, purpose is the knowledge of "why" we were opportune to have what we have and the best way of employing and deploying what we have to make a difference. Esther was not celebrated in Scriptures because she was queen, but because she used her position to foil a plot to exterminate her people. People are not remembered for what they had, but for what they gave. The knowledge of our purpose brings everything about our lives into proper perspective. Ignorance of our purpose of existence is the greatest deprivation we can ever live with. Dr.Benard Etta
Comments
God didn't invest in our existence merely to give us an opportunity to live on earth, pay for a house, own a car, marry, bear children and own some plots of lands and a bank account. These things were to fix in the broader plan of God for our lives, and not to be taken for the reason for our existence. None of us came here merely to acquire things and to have a good time, but to use whatever providence bestowed on us as tools for greater effectiveness and efficiency in the fulfillment of our purpose. I usually ask people that, after the house, cars, wife, children, money in the bank, plots of land, etc., what is next? The void in every human being can't be filled by the many things we can acquire, but by God and his purpose for our existence. Things are only of value when they facilitate our purpose, not when they are considered as ends in themselves. If you think otherwise, I would like to know your opinion.Dr.Benard Etta