This week I read of a 23-year study, published last autumn in the Journal of Psychology and Aging, which concluded that, when it comes to longevity, it is more important to have a purpose in life than it is to be simply satisfied with one’s existence. As one commentator said, ‘Having worthwhile goals is a source of vitality. It’s nice to feel happy today – but it’s important to have something to strive for tomorrow.’
The researchers were not blind to the fact that there is, of course, a significant correlation between the two parameters that were under consideration as predictors of a long life – that to some extent at least, to have a reason for getting out of bed in the morning is what it takes to make life satisfying. But it was nonetheless interesting to note which of the two is more important, suggesting as it does, that it is healthier to pursue purpose than mere pleasure.
All of which got me thinking, particularly in regard to how the study’s conclusion would suggest that it is healthier to have a purpose that seeks to benefit others, rather than one that seeks only to benefit oneself and that, notwithstanding the satisfaction that we experience by helping somebody else, it is better to pursue the happiness of others, rather than that of ourselves.
Which is something that, if it needed any confirmation, was made tragically apparent by an item on the 10 o’clock news on Wednesday evening. The story was that of Nicholas Prosper, the 19-year-old who, last September, murdered his mother, sister and brother before being arrested as he made his way to a local primary school where he had planned to shoot, who knows how many children, in the hope of becoming the Britain’s most notorious mass murderer.
Now don’t get me wrong, despite it apparently being the dream of many today, none of you who are reading this are, I’m sure, capable of crimes as awful as those that Prosper aspired to – but it is surely a warning to us all of the terrible things that, if left unchecked, the human heart is capable of craving, and how, if as we are so often encouraged to, we follow that frequently hot-blooded seat of our desires, our ensuing pursuit of instant gratification may be detrimental, not only to us, but to others too.
It is then better to give rather than receive, to consider others more highly than ourselves, and look, not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. None of which should be of any surprise since such wisdom is far older than a scientific journal that was published just six months ago. [see Acts 20:35, Philippians 2:3,4]
But if our hearts are not, as that same ancient wisdom suggests [Jeremiah 17:9], as dependable a guide to what we should or should not do, how then can we decide what our life’s purpose should be?
Well, here’s the thing. Before we can determine the part that we have to play in what seems sometimes to be an increasingly uncertain world, we need to know whose story we want to be a part of. And the choice is a straightforward one. We can either seek to be the hero of our own story, seeking our own glory whilst not worrying too much about those around us, or we can content ourselves with a minor role in the greatest story ever told, in his-story, the one that God has written, the end of which he already knows [Isaiah 46:10]. Chose the former and we may find a degree of happiness, but it will only be fleeting [Hebrews 11:25] – choose the latter and, as well as experiencing far greater satisfaction in our current lives, we will also be able to look forward to the one that will follow, characterised, as it will be, by both infinite joy and an extreme longevity that will last, at the very least, forever! [Psalm 16:11]
For the time being, of course, I cannot speak personally of the reality of everlasting life – but I can vouch for the joy that comes from being a part of God’s perfect and purposeful plan. Because, whilst my hope of a never ending existence is based on compelling evidence for the historicity of the empty tomb, credible eye witness testimony of those who saw Jesus after he was raised from the dead, and the authoritative word of the one who, as well as speaking the universe into existence, promised eternal life to all those who put their trust in him, the satisfaction of being used by God to bring joy to others is something that I have experienced for myself.
Most recently this has been through my work with the Slavic Gospel Association. It really has been a pleasure to have been used, albeit in an exceedingly small way, to take the gospel to some of those who are so desperately in need of some good news. Seeing the delight on the faces of those in far of places who have just received, for the very first time, a copy of the Bible in their own language, is something that I’ll long remember and more than matches the satisfaction I previously gained from working as a GP, a job, it should be noted, that, for the most part, I very much enjoyed and genuinely considered a means by which God brought a great deal of comfort to many.
Being a part of SGA really has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, a purpose which promises to deliver so much more than pills and potions ever could, and a cause that, now being a part of, I can’t help but be genuinely excited about.
So, if you’re interested, why not follow the link below to take a look at SGA’s website and discover some of the many ways that, despite their immense ongoing difficulty, God is giving people hope – not just for today, but for all of eternity too.
Related posts:
To read ‘The Way Ahead – from EQMC to SGA’, click here
To read ‘So it’s goodbye to EQMC’, click here
To read ‘An Advent Countdown – reflections for Christmas‘, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things? Rejoicing, though temporarily sorrowful, on Easter Day’, click here.
To read ‘Ascension Day’, click here.
To read ‘Speaking in Tongues’, click here.
Some musings 