What's Our Purpose?

Out of my day of exhilaration some insights have emerged. The importance of prayer, and the importance and place, of friends.

Prayer because it creates a context, a whole framework of life.  It gives us a God-center.  An awareness that all we are and all we have, comes from Him - He "from Whom all blessings flow."  Despite our many distractions, we come from God.  He put us here.  He brought us into being.  He sent us, much as He sent Jesus on His whole mission of salvation.

Us, too.  We have a mission.  Work to do.  Light-shining out into the world.  The work of caring about others.  Listening.  Loving.  Encouraging.  Being Jesus' person every day of our lives.

Which means praying: for the world.  For America.  For people to whom we've promised prayer.  Being present to all sorts.

Which leads into friends.  Staying in touch with them.  Receiving the signals that point us toward people who are going through something, who would be encouraged to hear from us - in a letter.  Over coffee.  Listening and loving.

Even in my dotage, I find people say, "Let's get together."  And they mean it.  It's important to them.  And, I realize, it's important to me.  All part of our work in the world.  Yours and mine.