Welcome to a new creative content section of the Record. This section is titled ‘Cogitations’ which is a fancy word for thinking deeply about something, to contemplate or meditate on. And that is the intent of this space; for me the author to provide you something to cogitate on. On that note let me introduce myself; I am Carl Hartman and I have recently begun working as the Minister for the Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney. I have been in ministry since 1994 and congruent with much of that time accumulated 21 years of Military service (7 active Navy, 9 Army Guard, and 5 Air Guard). With that brief introduction out of the way, let’s launch into our first topic to cogitate on for the next several weeks…’Life’
What is life all about?
What is the meaning of life?
What is the purpose of life?
Why am I here?
No matter how it is asked the question is fundamentally the same. The quest for finding meaning and purpose, fulfillment and completeness in life is a journey that everybody embarks on in their own way. Many spend their entire life in pursuit of the answer only to fall short and never find it. Many do not even know where to start. Many sadly, do not even know what direction they are heading or what lies ahead.
Any journey without clear directions, without a map of some kind is doomed to leave the journeyer wandering aimlessly and confused. Landmarks and waypoints are vital to staying on track towards any destination. Even in journeys of a non-physical nature, landmarks and waypoints are required to measure progress toward the final desired destination. This is why successful business projects have mission statements, vision statements, goals, and objectives clearly defined before the journey begins. These serve as indicators along the way that progress is being made in the right direction, towards the final destination.
It is the intent of this article over the next several weeks to aid the reader in uncovering the question of life. The journey taken in this article is one that wanders purposefully down the pathway of Christianity. Thus, answering the question of life in a specific manner…what is the Christian Life? It is the hope that as the reader journeys through the articles that lay ahead, they will grow enlightened to what is the real purpose of their life. It will be revealed what the pattern is the reader’s life should follow to reach the final destination that this life offers. The reader will become informed as to the power that is offered to them in life. And the final section will reveal the prize that is to be gained from pursuing the purpose of life according to the pattern that opens up the access to the power of the Christian life.
To begin this journey, first consider your current perception of life. Get out a piece of paper and make some notes reflecting what you currently feel that life is all about. What is the purpose of your life and meaning of your life as you understand it right now? Hold on to the notes you write down as you reflect on the preceding question. This will allow you to reflect back as we continue this journey together through the weeks ahead.
