What is the point of our daily lives?

Here we are in January. We are past the rush and thrill of the holidays. My students are early in their second semester efforts. Those who are”on top of things” have already started working on their tasks. Magazines and newspapers are full of things to buy which allegedly help us organize our lives, de-clutter, have a perfect garage sale in the spring, and more. Of course, this can make us feel like failures, because we “really need” to get organized.

We may be assessing our careers and wondering why it is that our achievements are insufficient to make us happy. The question becomes, “what is the point of our daily lives”? Are we to be perfectly organized at all times, with our containers labeled and everything looking as though a coked-up Martha Stewart secretly lives in our home to be our constant assistant? THEN will we have worth? If we are featured on our magazine covers as being the top of our field (whether we are artisans, homemakers, writers, accountants, politicians, lawyers, teachers, or whatever) – will that give us worth?

Oh these are things I have gone through at various points in my life, and still do upon occasion. But of course, to believe those things are what gives me worth and value is not exactly correct. You see, we are each given talents by our heavenly Father. We are to use those as gifts to Him and others. That enriches our lives and the lives of others. It encourages them, and gives them strength.

The POINT of our daily lives is to walk in step with Him. To walk, nay run, towards heaven. Praying, loving, rejoicing, comforting, giving, growing….yes, all those things deepen us. Now, regarding organizing and staying on top of things at home. The point of doing those things is that it frees our minds and hearts to NOT be overwhelmed by things, by junk. Managing our tasks, and taking care of business is a way of serving God. But the point is, HIM. Good children respect their Father and want to please HIM. They stay in touch, they love HIM.

So if you are in the January doldrums, remember that you love HIM> The rest of the tasks of life do have meaning, even in the mundane. So rejoice. The mundane has meaning, and so do the aggravations.

“At every moment, do what love requires”. and remember, no matter what, “believe anyway”.

and I leave you with this final quote: “The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it”. – John Ruskin