18
May 2002
Subject:
Here For The Cause
Dear
Ones,
As we take another marble out of the jar today, I am reminded of a recent conversation I had with a friend about the Vietnam War. I was telling him about a little episode that happened to me on one of my arrivals at Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport in South Vietnam in the 1960's.
As I came down the aircraft steps and reached the tarmac, I was confronted by a media reporter who thrust a microphone in my face and asked me the following question, "Captain, can you tell me why you are here?" I don't know if my answer was original or something I had heard someplace before, but it was the first thought that came into my mind. I answered his question, "I'm here for the cause!" He continued, "And what cause is that, may I ask?" My reply to him, as I moved out smartly, was short, sweet and with a distinct smile, "Cause, my Commander-in-Chief ordered me here.... that's why!"
Later reflecting on that little episode, I got to wondering how I would answer the larger question as it pertains to my life on this earth if today someone were to ask, "Why are you here?" Could I answer, "I am here for the cause"? If so, I had better come up with a good answer to the follow-up question.... "And what cause is that?"
I guess man has always sought the answer to the age-old questions "Why am I here?" or "What is my life's purpose?" Most times, however, it seems we need to reach a certain age or experience a crisis in our lives before we seek such answers. I feel sure that were I asked about life's purpose in my younger days, my answer would have been more self-centered than today although my core beliefs have always been the same.
I believe the way to properly understand man’s purpose in life is to establish a God-centeredness in our thinking.... to accept that the goal of man is not to be fulfilled in himself, but to be fulfilled in the plan and purpose of God. When man puts God at the center of his universe, life has meaning because to him God provides all of the essential answers in life.
I have always believed that we are all a part of God's master plan.... that we are here for a purpose.... and, that purpose is to know, love and serve God.
I, also, believe that each of us has been blessed with special gifts or talents... and that we are not to hide them under a basket, but use them according to God's will to benefit others and for the advancement of His kingdom.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here for the cause!"
"And what cause is that?"
"His cause!"
Author Richard Leider once said, "The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose." "Each of us, no matter what we do, has a calling (a cause)."
Have you figured out what your "cause" is?
Have a GREAT day and may all your Saturdays be special.
Don
Republic
of Vietnam - 1965