blog-maryBlog - Joyful Curmudgeon - Blog
A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 


Life’s Purpose – 8 February 2008
By Mary T. Hoffman

Have you found your purpose in life? Do you feel confident that you are fulfilling the purpose for which God created you? When it comes time to depart (as we all must, sooner or later), will this world be a bit better for your having been here? And will God say to you, ''Well done, good and faithful servant!''? (Matthew 25:21 and 23)

I think that spiritual awakening can open up possibilities that lead to finding your life’s purpose. This initial spiritual awakening is like standing in a dark room and opening a door just a crack to see a ray of light shining. It’s just the beginning. Over time, you can choose to continue opening the door wider and walking in the light or you can give up, turn back, closing the door behind you; it’s up to you. If you don’t give up, the door keeps opening wider and you see more and more light.

By “spiritual awakening” I don’t mean only “religion” or a “set of beliefs.” Religion is not an end in itself, since it can lead to a complacent, comfortable position that accomplishes little if anything where the alleviation of the suffering of God’s creation, both human and nonhuman, are concerned. The suffering of the “least among us” – the animals – is especially horrific and increasing dramatically in today’s world. The need is great, “but the workers are few.” In Ezekiel 36:26, God says:

26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
~ New American Standard Bible

This is only the beginning. As James says: (James 2:24 and 26)

24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. ~ New American Standard Bible

Finding the purpose in life that your Creator meant for you will lead to true fulfillment, as you practice living in the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

This applies to everything in your life and to the whole of God’s Creation. You cannot limit this kind of spiritual living to a narrow group of people. You must apply it to every human being, to every animal, and to the rest of God’s Creation – without exception.

Please visit:
http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/index.html

Go on to: The Holy Spirit's Prompting - 9 Feb 2008
Return to: Never Give Up – 7 February 2008
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