Foreword: I’ve
decided to write in an “open letter” format to make it more “connecting” to
people.
My friends and loyal
followers,
Pondering on the fragility of
our lives, I stumbled upon a classical question, "What is the reason for
our existence?" The term raison
d'être (French for “reason for existence”) is defined by the
Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the thing that is most important to someone or
something; the reason for which a person or organization exists.
I have seen many humans spend
their time on lasciviousness and other wasteful activities. (Kanilang ginugol ang kanilang buhay sa
kalayawan.) They are focused on materialistic wants and goals. I, being
somehow a non-conformist, have other plans and goals. I exhort you all not to
be overly attached to material things and consumerist trends. For Christian
believers, if you really believe in the Bible, you should that we were created
for good works. It is written: For we are
God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) To do good works to all men is a prime mission we need to fulfill.
It is written: So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith. (Galatians 6:10 RSV) It is the main reason I try to
help people if they need me. I was delighted when someone mentioned that people
say that I'm an approachable nice person, always willing to lend a hand in
need. However, I am not saying this for personal glory, but I, a servant, am
saying this as a testament to declare that Christian teachings can be an
effective teacher of morality for people. (Suck it, militant atheists! You
pride yourselves to be good without god but you constantly deny even the
tiniest contribution of Christian teachings to a person's moral compass.) To be
honest, I was inspired to write this partially because of my desire to clear
any misunderstanding some people may have about me.
So basically, I really want to
help people in need. I have the tendency to befriend the lower ends of the
socio-political ladder because I tend to be more emphatic to the cause of the
oppressed, the poor, and the marginalized. In high school, my friends did not
come from affluent families. Even the Judeo-Christian God, despite being the
Highest above all, chose the ones perceived by the world as weak. It is
written: 27 but God chose what is foolish in the world
to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong,
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are
not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being
might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1: 27 – 29 [RSV]). In my
college days, I would usually befriend the irregular students, the unpopular
ones, the seemingly out-of-place students, and even the student laboratory
assistants. Even my thesis partner once quipped, "Ang dami mong kakilala ah.” ("You're acquainted with so many
people"). He said that while we walking around the campus and around ten
people either greeted me or I greeted them first.
Having plenty of acquaintances
is fine, but true friends are real treasures to keep. The preacher in
Ecclesiastes said: “Two are better than
one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they
fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has not another to lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9 – 10 RSV) Having
loyal friends is indeed a treasure more valuable than gold.
We exist to help each other,
and I believe being helpful and leaving behind at least some positive
contributions as your legacy is a life well spent. It is true that as
individuals we can never do enough to
stop corruption, to preserve the environment, and to maintain peace and
goodwill among mankind. Our individual contributions to the betterment of
society, despite appearing to be insufficient, will help you feel that you've
fulfilled your reason for existence. Remember the case of famed German
industrialist Oscar Schindler, who virtually used all his resources and riches in
saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. Reports claim that he felt
that he could have done better, only to be reassured that he should be thankful
to have been able to save more than a thousand lives from the infamous
concentration camps. You may claim that what we’re doing will not have a
significant bearing for the improvement of the world, which may be true.
However, this should inspire us further
to work hard to help one another, despite the fact that it will never be enough
in a large-scale view.
If you’ll ask me, the best way
to be immortalized is to do or at least, idealize something that has the
potential to help mankind. Rise above the ordinary but do not be arrogant! Be
humble. Lift up the poor and the oppressed and let us carry the burden of one
another. One example of contributing is by doing our part in saving the
environment. Being immortalized in history may be an awesome feat, but we
should not solely focus on it. “At the end of life we will not be judged by how
many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great
things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me
something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took
me in.’[1]”
said Mother Theresa.
Skeptics and atheists are
usually the ones who emphasize in "living life to its fullest",
obviously due to the fact that they reject the idea of the afterlife. Some have
a tendency to emphasize worldly concerns because of this, which can be good
sometimes. Imagine their efforts trying to eradicate disease because they value
life. They even mock fanatical theists who emphasize faith healing. This is a
misrepresentation of Christianity because this is not how educated Christians
should act, since the Bible also emphasizes on exerting efforts to take care of
yourself. Look to yourselves, that we
lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
(2 John 1:8 KJV)
However, some skeptics tend to
be slow to forgive and prideful, since they do not believe in divine
retribution in the afterlife. (Unlike Christians - who are commended to forgive
even enemies.) I am actually playing safe even though I believe in the
afterlife. This drives me to strive further to be helpful to all men, since it
is one way to be remembered and "immortalized". By doing good deeds,
we please God, and if such deeds allow a person to be mentioned at least once
in the annals of history, then we are also, in a perspective, immortalized. A
win-win situation, I think.
You might ask? Why? Unlike
most people who desire the snaring pleasures of riches and fame, my desire to
be a contributor for the slightest improvement (if there is still hope) of the
world is fueled by my desire to atone my past mistakes. Being remembered in a
positive way is also helpful in covering my rough past, the humiliations, and
even my failures. It is hoped that by succeeding in this ultimate mission, I
have served my Designer, helped mankind, and fulfilled my raison d'être. This
is my driving force that keeps me going despite the obstacles I face in this
life. Strive hard, my friends, to achieve your goals. Do not forget your humble
beginnings so as to not allow pride to consume you.
Thank you.
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