Why do we exist? What is the point or purpose for my life? Is it just about what I decide to do with it? What I want? What I like? Is that why I exist- to find my own fun and reason to live? Or was I created by some huge, powerful being that I will answer to?
This morning my mind wandered off and I found myself imagining ants. I have played with this analogy before but it tends to fall short of what I hope to achieve. But, what if I loved ants? What if I found them delightful and charming? I loved watching their industrious – busy- hard working focused little lives.
So I got myself a big comfortable camp chair- we’ll call it my throne- and I perched myself where I could watch them building communities- fighting wars with other communities- working together to haul home large, heavy, dead bugs home as tho’ it were some huge elk to feed their growing young.
Stretch this even further and imagine that I actually created the ants and I have the power of life and death over them. But I am a loving creator and I provide gentle rains, sunshine, abundant sand and every material they need to thrive and prosper. I protect them from dangerous bull-dozers and I watch over this yard. I sprinkle delicious bread crumbs and berries on the ground for them. I give them everything they need to multiply and prosper and take over the entire backyard.
And let’s imagine that the whole reason I created them was solely for my pleasure, there is no other reason for their existence at all. My hope, as I sit there on my throne watching their busy little lives, is that they will THINK and WONDER about why they exist. I hope they will look for meaning in life beyond moving the grains of sand. I hope they will look up- find me and love me for giving them life and abundance. I want them to love me.
In fact, I want them to love me with all of their hearts and minds, their strength and souls. It is what I want more than anything! I want them to live for my pleasure- adore me- worship me. And if they do…if they search for me and love me utterly- I will gently reach down my finger and lift them up to a paradise that is beyond their wildest imaginations and I will keep them as my own delight and we will have such a celebration.
And for all the rest of them who ignored me- hot burning fire- that will destroy every trace of every work they have ever done. What if…?
A religious leader asked “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ "
(Mk 12:30 )
