The "Why"

In the military, "the why" is the most important.  A mission statement is given in the form of a sentence consisting of the 5 W's of the mission.  For example:  "NLT (No Later Than) 2000, on 25 July, kill or capture (insert name of bad guy) in the vicinity of his residence IOT (in order to) remove the leader of the logistics arm of the terrorist cell."  So "the why" always comes after the "in order to" in a mission.  "The why" explains to the men going to carry out a mission why they must put themselves in harm's way.  So, from a leader's perspective, it should be pretty clear why "they why" is the most important part of the mission statement.

 

Now, that is the basis of "the why" but leaders should apply this to everything they order their men or women to do.  What is "the why" behind military discipline?  What about physical fitness in the military? What about keeping one's weapon clean?  I could go on and many answers to these questions may be self explanatory like the last one.  One should keep their weapon clean so that it functions correctly when it must be used.

 

I typed those first two paragraphs so that you could understand the perspective from which I ask the following question:  What is "the why" of each of our lives?

 

Some may be thinking about a "calling" or a career field where they should find work.  Some may think they live to enjoy life with their family--a spouse and children.  This question has been on my mind and heart recently as I pursue different career path options and as we expand our family with two adolescent boys from Ethiopia.

 

Here is a different perspective that I've viewed this question and it has helped me answer it more accurately:  What is "the why" for which we were created?  Or in plain English, why were we created?

 

I believe the answer to this question is the same for all of us and that it is simply that we have a relationship with God, our Creator.  Everything in our lives should support, facilitate, and strengthen that relationship including the relationships we have with each other.  In addition, we should seek to support, facilitate, and strengthen the relationship between others and God.  The entire Bible points toward a God that is constantly seeking to establish and reestablish a relationship with us.   When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he answered:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength, and with all your soul."  And though he was not asked what the second greatest commandment is, he went on:  "And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  So when asked what the greatest commandment was by an "expert in the Law," he just summed up the entire Old Testament (and the New Testament wasn't written yet so really he summed up all the Scriptures) in a few short sentences.

 

Love God and love your neighbor.  Now let me put this in a military-style mission statement.  When you are created and NLT you take your last breath, in any situation you find yourself on this earth, love God and love your neighbor IOT have a relationship with God, our creator and help others to do the same.  That is it.  Simple!

 

So have you ever wander what your "calling" is or what your life should look like or what you are supposed to do?

 

If you wonder why Sarah and I have decided to do the things we do, there it is.  God has put us in a position and provided us with the resources to parent the four children we have and the two that are coming.  We have loved God and he has blessed us in a way that we can take that blessing to love a few orphans.  There is no other reason.  There shouldn't be any other reason.

 

All our lives should not look the same.  We are the Body of Christ and God gives each of us resources to serve our own party of the body.  I encourage you not to wait for the resources.  They are right in front of you.  Use them and carry out the mission statement God has for all of us.

 

God Bless!