What should we be doing? P. 2

The primary questions on the test of life, as discussed in a previous post, imply that we should be (1) seeking to understand God’s plan and desires for us and (2) focusing on relationships and how we think and act towards those around us. As we consider specific activities I would say that many choices are not between good and bad but between good and good. There are an endless number of activities that would fall under the categories of things we ‘should be doing.’ The test is ultimately of the heart, the desires which will be evidenced in our choices although not to perfect execution.

1. Seeking to understand God’s plan and desires for us.

The extremes of this activity could be a Buddhist monk, a Havard Divinity School student, or a life-long missionary; full dedication to this objective. Is this ultimate level required in terms of career? No, but I think elements of these examples are expected to be part of every individual’s life. I think meditation and contemplation should be practiced by all, primarily on the important questions of life. I think we should all be a student of the Divine in terms of seeking out information, reading, exploring, and processing that information. I think it is also expected that this search for truth and right is to be a life-long commitment. There is that element of endurance.

2. Focus on relationships and how we act towards our fellowman.

In this objective the options of positive activities are endless. In the home it implies being willing to work to be a loving spouse and a loving parent. In work, it implies that we should seek the good of all and not just ourselves at the expense of others. It means being willing to forgive others, from the guy who flipped you off on the freeway to the close family member who hurt you dearly. It means expanding your circle of concern outside of yourself, to your community, even to communities on the other side of the world. It implies a willingness to sacrifice your personal means and energies to the great social issues of our time, the scourge of extreme poverty, the building of peace, and the prevention of innocent suffering.

The hallmarks of a religious seeker should therefore be two fold: a desire for knowledge and understanding regarding God’s master plan for mankind (also how we personally fit in that plan) as well as a sincere desire and continuous effort to become a person with the same will and desire that God has for all men. The question is not “to be or not to be” as Hamlet says but as Truman Madsen rephrases it-  “To become or not to become.”