On the eve of the State of the Union address several young people (young is a relative term, right?!) in their 30’s and 20’s sought me out to set up a time to walk and talk, and of course I happily agreed.
1. The twenty year old shared with me, “I’ve been thinking about my legacy, what I am called to do with my life?”
2. The father of two in his mid 30’s shared with me, “I’m happily married, I have my wife and kids; we have our jobs and a house, and all of our basic needs are met. I’m searching for something more. There must be something more that has to do with why we’re here, why I am here, and what’s my purpose in this life?
3. Another woman in her mid thirties shared with me, “sometimes the world seems so competitive and divided, and at its worst, religion can exacerbate it. Can we find another way to live with one another?”
To me, these are profoundly spiritual questions. Asking these questions is a sign of being alive; questions that we need to ask throughout our lives, individually, and as a society. Join us this Sunday as we explore these questions of meaning in our lives. And, if you’d like to explore more after the service, join us for our Inquirer’s Session from 11:30 am -12:30 pm. Childcare is provided.
I’d like to share with you a few responses from various traditions to these questions:
Paul Tillich, 20th century: “Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.”
Rabindranath Tagore, 20th century Nobel Prize-winning poet: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
Albert Schweitzer, 20th century: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Booker T. Washington, 20th century: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
Martin Luther King Jr., 20th century: “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Fred Rogers, 20th century: “Life is for service.”
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