Why We Exist

Gerry got back from Afghanistan, and he is not in good shape. Half his squad was on a mounted patrol when their vehicles were hit by an improvised explosive device (IED), killing four and badly wounding two. Unfortunately, he had to identify the bodies and could not get the images out of his head. Now between alcohol and too many medications, his life has lost meaning, and he has frequent thoughts of ending it. 

​Oscar was part of the same squad and faced the same ordeal of body identification.  He, too, wrestles with nightmares but compared to Gerry, he is in great shape. Not once has he contemplated suicide; more often than not, he is involved in helping the remaining squad members readjust to life back home and outside of the military.

​Meditation
1 Corinthians 8:5-6--For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from Him, and we exist for Him.And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through Him, and we exist through Him.
 
Why is Oscar different than Gerry in his coping abilities?  It comes down to purpose.  Gerry has no relationship with Jesus—he’s heard of Him, but he has no idea that He is Lord and that we exist through Him. Consequently, for him, life is the sum of breathing on earth; when the last breath is taken, that is it.  Gerry’s purpose was to serve his country—but that service is over.  What does he do now?  Working to make money is not fulfilling. Partying is not gratifying, and drinking cannot soothe his thirsty soul. Couple that with the trauma he carries inside, and he is unsure why he gets up each day—let alone why life matters, which is a recipe for disaster.
           
Oscar met Jesus in a bowling alley. At age 19, his friend Sandy shared about God’s Son, who came as the Messiah to save a sin-infested planet by sacrificing His life. His offer to save the lives of those who put their faith in Him was more than grace; God’s purpose was to give meaning to existence.  Oscar has an earthly drive to please Jesus by obeying God and following after His Son. That drive will result in an eternal reward of existence through Him and with Him.  When we know why we exist, we not only have purpose, we have inherent meaning.
            
​Oscar is in counseling for the stress combat caused. He’s also reaching out to Gerry to help him as he prays for him. Amid his suffering, he has eternal hope, which makes an incredible difference.  If you ask him why we exist, his smile introduces a thrilling answer—something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
The one essential condition of human existence is that man should always be able to bow down before something infinitely great.  If men are deprived of the infinitely great they will not go on living and die of despair.  The Infinite and the Eternal are as essential for man as the little planet on which he dwells.—Dostoyevsky in The Possessed
 
©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)