"What's it all about Alfie?" These words of a song are aptly applied to the topic of this discussion. Do I have an answer, does anyone have an answer to what life is all about?
I ask of the Great Unknown, the Great I AM, "What's it all about Lord?" I say unknown because no one really knows the Creator. We know what we've heard, what we've read, what we think; but is any of that correct. "Why Am I Lord," I ask of the Great I Am. What is the meaning, the purpose of this life, this human existence? Is it but to dwell for a while and be no more? Does flesh wander on this plane, this planet, for but a few short days and then...is no more? And days, what is a day Lord? The Bible tells us that for You, a day is as a thousand years. If that be so, then from my earthly perspective, I am indeed ancient and that being said, have had thousands of years to accomplish, and yet feel like I've accomplished nothing of great mention. What's it all about Lord, this thing we call "life"?
Why is humanity? Why, who, what and where are we - in the big picture? As human beings - made up of flesh and bone - we come and we go. I have read history books from days gone by, about men and women who have left their mark in the annals of history; who have accomplished what man perceives to be great feats. But, is that enough? Is that why they existed, why I exist? Really, Lord, "What's it all about?"
Is this mere mortal existence all there is to me, to mankind? If so, then I do indeed agree with the words of Ecclesiastes 3:9-14:
What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Is that it; we toil and we die. Yes, that is it for the human, fleshly journey, but that is not who I am; who you are; not at all!
You see, just as the Great I AM is Spirit, so Am I. That is us; that is me; not these fingers stroking the keyboard or these human eyes reading these words or the brain processing the meaning of what I write. That is not me.
So, Great I AM, why did you clothe me in flesh and bone? What is the lesson to be learned from this earthly journey? Will I ever learn it? I look back at the half-century that I have wandered the earth and can't think of anything that would be found in the next generations' history lessons about my life. I have not left an indelible mark on history.
I have lived, loved and borne children; raised a family, lost a family and now watch a new generation being born and growing before my eyes. I blink my eyes and it changes; another stroke of the painter's brush and a new landscape appears. A child is born, another dies.
The news these days is filled with news of the death of people the whole world knew "about"; Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett. I came home from the gym this morning and was greeted by my neighbour across the whole, only to be told that wonderful man down the hall that I used to chat with about his country Lebanon, his love for music, his playing in the church and singing, his children...he is no more. Poof, here yesterday, gone today! He left a hole in my heart Lord; though I didn't know him that well, he impacted and left a hole in my heart. What was the meaning of his life; of Michael's and Farrah's lives Lord?
Tell me, please, what is the meaning of my life? Is this a training ground for a better place; an opportunity to rid myself of flaws that would destroy the peace and solitude of a heavenly realm, where you O Great Spirit reside; where none can abide with you if he or she be composed of negative energy? So what happens if I do not learn these things in this short day's journey on planet earth? Where do I go? For surely, I cannot go to that Heavenly place, because I know who I am at this moment, and it is not pure white positive energy; there is still much negativity that vibrates in me, through me and all around me. I would not be able to stand in your presence as I am. So where would I go, should this be my last breath?
Has anyone ever perfected the journey for which he was created by you O Great Spirit? I don't think so, because we are too flawed and engulfed in the things of this very material world.
Look at your beautiful world. We've destroyed so much of your original painting. The colours have blended and in places rotted and produce putrid and arid odours that take our breath away. Those creatures you entrusted to us are dying because of our polluted environment; an environment created by excess and greed. They are dying helplessly and they had nothing to do with the lethal weapon that sucks out their life.
We, those whom you put in charge over all that you created, we are killing it all, not the least of which is we are killing one another!
Does anyone know the purpose or meaning of life? Does anyone truly seek the purpose or meaning of his own life or life in general? Do we all seek our own self-serving purposes? Do I seek to know because I desire to be recognized and applauded by another; because I have my own personal agenda to succeed and be recognized? Is there any human being that it can be said of, "He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body?" I do not think so, and I am simply stating a fact. What man, when threatened body and soul, would not selfishly and fearfully surrender and give up his brother's life to protect his own?
Is life vanity? I preen and prawn myself; spend thousands on makeup and facial and body creams, and just as much on manicures, pedicures. Yet, I've not found the cure for what ails me, what ails mankind or the cure for loneliness, sadness, greed, why children die of starvation or thirst.
Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place to find the meaning of life; looking outward when it should be inward. Will I find the meaning of life within? Perhaps that is the answer to finding the meaning of life. Heaven knows we've tried all the external methods. Perhaps it is time to close the door of the external world and seek the essence of life within ME; the part that never dies but goes on for eternity. Perhaps then the struggle to know, to understand will cease and I shall be at peace.
I will simply be; as He is I AM, so I shall simply be!