Monty Python did a satire called ‘Meaning of Life’ in 1983 which explores several scenes from life and includes death. It explores why we are here and what we do during life. We have looked recentlty at topics of defining what is and is not true success, meaning without purpose and purpose without meaning, and exposing godly vs. ungodly purposes and agendas. So while on the topic of finding godly purpose and meaning in life I will tackle the big quesiton everyone wants to know: why am I here?

The reasons for this can be many and varied. In the end we are here to honor and serve God. This is a general statement but the implications and specifics of that question require us to understand not only purpose but our identity in Christ as well.

— Our Identities in Christ

We need to fully submit and remove all works of the flesh in ourselves, yet lift up the life of Christ within, our identities in Christ. This has several ramifications as to our personal lives vs. our ministry focus. It also has a lot to do with our calling and purpose in life.

Our personal lives would include things like our families, our bank accounts, our health, and our personal identity and reputation. Our identity in Christ includes things like our moral character as reflected in holiness, our doctrines, our spiritual works, and the general ministry or oversight the Lord has given each one of us.

You have heard the oft repeated ‘don’t touch God’s anointed and do my prophets no harm’ statement (Psalm 105:15, 1 Chronicles 16:22) or maybe you have possibly heard of the Moses complex where a senior paster is considered to be the sole intermediary between God and the Congregation. The focus of God’s anointed in the Psalm and 1 Chronicales passages were the patriarchs so let’s focus on leadership here. In particular let’s look further at these ideas and one situation where God sided with Moses against those who came against him.

We read in Num. 12:1:: Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

Now when the Lord was riled against Mirian and Aaron, it was only Miriam who came down with leprosy. Why was Aaron spared? Perhaps only because he represented the priests, not for his own sake. Both prophets and priests were anointed in those days.

The bible says that the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. Moses ends up praying for Miriam to be healed after Aaron appeals unto him. Moses was an intercessor for all the people.

Does this sound like a man threatening the people saying ‘don’t touch God’s anointed’? I’m not saying there was not hell to pay for grumbling and complaining against Moses and the LORD. What I am saying is that God stood behind and supported what Moses was doing to fulfill the LORD’s wishes and the destiny for Israel.

Did Yeshua even consider threatening anyone with the words “don’t touch God’s anointed’? I am just saying, lets not even go there!

As leaders in the christian community and for that matters leaders in the whole world we need to take our positions seriously but also humbly. It is an honor to serve but that is not by compulsion or force. For a godly leader does not rule by threat and intimidation. He/she rules by example and by deed and action. The injuction of James found in verse 2:17 ‘faith without works is dead’. The author here uses the example of Abraham offering up Isaac his son upon the altar and showing how faith is complemented by our works.

I started watching Monty Python’s movie ‘The Holy Grail’ the other day. In this parady King Arther got comissioned by God to find the Holy Grail. He had his work to do. We all have a work or works to do in our lives. The faith journey means we take this journey not by sight of what is but by sight of what is not yet.

— Purpose and Meaninging Go Hand-to-Hand

Two weeks back I covered the idea of purpose without meaning and meaning without purpose dilemma. In the parady by Monty Python King Arthur had a purpose (to find the holy grail). But what was the meaning behind all of this effort? To find a holy relic might be something of intrinsic value or something of scientific interest and maybe an item to be venerated. We have such an article today called the Shroud of Turin. Assuming this is real we then have a relic of some meaning. It points to the fact of Christ’s resurrection and signifies a supernatural event not easy to mimic even by today’s scientific community. If the Holy Grail were to be identified it would merely be an object signifying the cup used during the last supper, not much else.

Likewise we should have personal meaning behind what we endeavour to do. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. It says in 1 Cor. 3:14-15:: if anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. For there is no other sure foundation to build upon other than that of Christ (Yeshua the Messiah). All other things will either get burnt up or melt with fervent heat.

We had a certain mission in Kenya a few years ago. It lasted for about three years. In the end almost all was lost. It was originally built as a ministry to help young unmarried expectant mothers find shelter and a place of restoration and recovery for them and their babies. Things did not work out and the purpose of the venture morphed into other unrealized ventures. You see both meaning and purpose need to have clear objectives (and also funding and proper management) which I think faltered at some point in time.

So you need to keep a proper perspective of meaning and purpose. There is nothing wrong with either changing but it has to be done with proper counsel and support. Ultimately God needs to be the one changing it and refining it for the good.

— Godly Counsel

There is a proverb in the book of Proverbs:
Where there is no counsel, the people fall but in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Prov. 11:14).

I maintain this verse is actually talking about godly counselors not like the owner and shipmaster of the ill-fated journey of Paul from Fair Havens to Phoenix Crete. Let’s look deeper into the goodly characteristics of that depicted in Proverbs 11.

vs. 2: with the humble, there is wisdom: we already spoke about Moses’ humbility, even being an interceeder for those opposing him
vs. 3: the integrity of the upright will guide them: having integrity means doing what you say and meaning what you say
vs. 4: righteousness delivers from death: we often hear about the imputed or inherited righteousness of Christ which saves

We are told,however in Heb. 12:13-14 to ‘make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord’. King David prayed in Psalm 51 ‘let not your Holy Spirit be taken from me’. He did not take grace for granted, nor should we.

vs. 5 : the righteousness of the blameless will direct[make smooth or straight] his way aright: this is further confirmation of making our ways ‘good’ so that the lame might be healed

Do you want God to guide your steps? Do you want to be used of God for mighty works? Then make your walk straight and keep on the way of holiness.

vs. 6: the righteousness of the upright will deliver them: in our righteous steps we can ge spared the trap of the fowler (Ps. 91:3,Prov. 6:5). Satan prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Just as Daniel was spared in the lion’s den so shall we be saved if our walk likes up with his teachings. vs. 8 says the righteous is delivered from trouble.

vs. 9: thru knowledge the righteous will be delivered: knowleged includes perception,skill, discernment, and wisdom. The bible says in 2 Cor. 2:11: that Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his evil purposes

vs. 10: when it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: when godly living brings success a whole city can rejoice and be blessed
vs. 11: by the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: continuation of shared blessing with a whole city

vs. 12: a man of understanding holds his peace: the word here for peace is not shallom, it is ḥāraš (khaw-rash) what has a double meaning: 1) to cut in, plough, engrave, devise 2) to be silent, be dumb, be speechless, be deaf. The normal interpretation is the second one meaning to be silent or speechless. I think the first meaning could also be appropriate but in the negative. We do not cut into in plough our neighbor, or devise mischeaf against him. It says in the first part of vs. 11 a person devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor. We need to allow the Lord to take vengeance (Deut. 32:35, Rom. 12:19). We need to learn to live peacefully with all men (if it be at all possible).

vs. 13: he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter; this is refering to one who does not spread rumors and lies about other people but serves as a faithful friend

So when we get to verse 14 do you still think the counselors who give words of safety could possibly be ones prideful, having no integrity, being unrighteous, guilty, not being upright, unknowledgeable, of no understanding, and who shares secrets is a good counselor?

I went though almost half of this Proverb to show what kind of counsel we need to seek.

— Meaning of Life is always contextual

Life has little meaning without involving others. The whole of human existence is not done in isolation. Even if stranded on a desert island if you ever get rescued you have a story to tell to others. Even archeologist dig up meaning and purpose in ancient dig sites.

What about Christ? If he died on the cross and nobody ever saw it or heard about it would that have any lasting effect?

Likewise, the meaning to your life depends greatly on the people and things in your sphere of influence. Seldom is there just one thing, one quest. The search for the Holy Grail takes different shape and form for each one of us.

Our job, together, is to figure out what this quest looks like for each one of you. There is an absolute truth. This is what Pontius Pilot wanted to know of Yeshua before his execution.

Pilot asked Yeshua if he is a king. Yeshua said to Pilot “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” Pilot never waits for an explanation. He seems satisfied that Yeshua said my kingdom is not of this world for it is was my servants would fight. It seems the Roman governor was more interested in insurrection than a debate on stoic or jewish ideas concerning truth. Yet we should want to know truth, especially that of Yeshua.

Perhaps the answer to Pilot’s question ‘what is truth’ is something each one of us needs to find in our own lives. Whatever Yeshua might have said to Pilot might not be exactly what he has to say to each one of us. I leave you with a couple closing thoughts . One is ‘he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God’ (John 3:19). It is likely that Pilot did not want to know much about the truth because his deeds were evil. There is also the verse ‘you can know the truth and it shall make you free (John 8:32). Free from the effects of sin and free to follow God. Within this truth you will experience the meaning of life. I would sum it up as this: to serve God with all of your heart, mind, and will.