PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF "LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE TWICE" IN TAMPA BAY.
First the Tampa Bay Lightning won hockey's Stanley Cup.
And now, the Buccaneers are playing in the Super Bowl on their home turf. What do you think? How many are hoping lightning strikes twice.
In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus enters a synagogue and amazes his listeners with his compelling words and awesome power. Even the demons recognize Jesus as the holy one of God. And here Jesus exorcizes a “crazed” man.
Jesus had one passion: to proclaim that the kingdom of God, a new age, is entering into our midst with his signs and wonders. That mission fired Jesus up.
The question for us is, where do we find purpose in our lives? Some argue convincingly that we find meaning in a mix of what we do, what we experience, and our attitude toward our own inescapable suffering and dying.
Here's a true example. A new medical doctor found purpose primarily in his work. But inoperable spinal cancer gradually paralyzed him. He couldn’t work. So, he began to find meaning in his everyday experiences, especially at the facility where he was cared for. He entertained and encouraged other patients. He read good books, listened to music, stayed in touch with family.
But eventually he couldn’t even do these things. This young doctor now had to find meaning in his own suffering and dying. He became a counselor and an example by bearing his own suffering. Finally, with faith in God, he made a leap into the mystery of death and into the hands of God, much like a trapeze artist trusting that in that free fall, he will be caught.
The point is this: life is worth living each day. We will find meaning at every stage in life.
This raises the question, what are human beings meant for? What is our life all about? Most of our finest thinkers have held that we are meant for something greater than mere existence. Yes, far beyond mere animal instincts, beyond acquiring and spending, beyond having a nice home, a fancy car, a vacation getaway, beyond all the scientific achievements, engineering marvels, and economic feats of this world.
But what is that “something?” The answer points to something transcendent, beyond ourselves: the human spirit. Always open to a relationship with an awesome God and to one another. Yes, our purpose, no matter what our profession or age, is to be in relationship with God and one another forever.
There's an ancient wisdom that says God sends each person into this life with a special message, a special song, a special act of love to bestow. Perhaps this prayer can be our message and song and act of love:
In
a world that's out of tune, may we be people full of harmony...
In
a world full of anger and hate and violence, may we be people full of peace...
In
a world full of heartache and frustration, may we be people full of hope...
and
in a discouraged world, may we be people full
of encouragement.
