Jul 24, 2009 4 min read

Editor’s Note: This is a reprint of an earlier column. Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Text: “Paul, CALLED to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God … To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and CALLED to be holy, …” 1 Corinthians 1:1-2. The time, world and circumstances have changed since apostle Paul had written these words, yet the very basic of his thoughts is still valid and applicable today. Let us see our text, written so long ago, in a new setting.

EMPTINESS – NOTHINGNESS – AIMLESSNESS

According to scientists who study the human mind and behavior, the modern man is confronted with the idea of aimlessness and emptiness. Just to mention a few aspects of our lives that drive us into this direction:

– So many cannot find employment and earn the bread and butter for the family.

– Those who work on assembly lines cannot have the feeling of creativity for they do only one part of the production and do not see the whole process.

– In the big, congested cities, individuals are absorbed by the crowd.

– We are impressed by the big size and number, the small is negligible, unimportant.

– To repair is old-fashioned and expensive. It is faster and easier to replace the broken part with a new one. Often, human beings are treated the same way.

– Heroes, stars, scholars, champions, the rich and elected officials receive attention and are celebrated. The rest could be forced to feel that they are not needed.

Being lost in the crowd, relegated to a number on a list and being easily replaceable introduce us to aimlessness, worthlessness and emptiness. Why are crime and suicide rates so high in the western, industrialized and often prosperous countries?

PURPOSE – VOCATION – MISSION

Let us climb three steps and get out from this seemingly hopeless situation. If you feel that you are neglected, overlooked or taken advantage of, and if you find life meaningless and empty, God has a plan for you!

PURPOSE or GOAL

While on a farm, even a youngster can have a goal, raise a calf or colt or cultivate a fruit tree or part of the vegetable garden, and the result will be gratifying. But what can a young person do in the slum? Even in the worst predicament, one can have a goal, if nothing else, not to be drifted with the trend. Read what beset apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:24-29, yet he wrote: “I do not run like a man running aimlessly, … ” 1 Corinthians 9:26, in our scripture reading.

If you have a goal then it is not so hard to have a VOCATION. I do not mean PROFESSION but what the word originally meant: to be invited or called. God constantly calls us (see Matthew 11:28-30), and the answer is up to us. How many people became “great” because they heard the divine call and responded positively like Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa?

If your reaction to the call was affirmative, then you will become a MISSION-ary. You do not have to be a college-educated or seminary-trained person to be a missionary. You can become an ambassador of goodwill at any place. Your mission field may be your own home, neighborhood or the place where you work. When people see that your intentions are noble and constructive, a few will join you to help. If your mission is nothing else than having a positive influence upon those who are around you, you are a godsend person. The word APOSTLE comes from Greek and means a person sent forth.

Emptiness, nothingness and aimlessness could be destructive; however, purpose, vocation and mission could make us useful, helpful and fruitful.

Many fail because of the wrong approach and order. They wish to achieve great goals first and, only after, wish to become useful, helpful and fruitful. Rather, let patience, perseverance and dedication be joined first to reach the ordinary goals given to us through our vocation and mission.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Also: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philip 3:13-14. Both quotations are from Apostle Paul.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.