Buechner brings forth the hard truth that we are all, in a sense, poor naked wretches. I highly agree with him. We sometimes try to build ourselves up by thinking we know who we are, but then reality hits us. We look into the mirror and see the horrid, naked, and pitiless creature staring directly back at us.
I don't think it is because we have lost all sight of who we really are. I think it is because we have most truly seen ourselves. We acknowledge that we are gifted, skilled and talented, but now see it in a different light. We realize that it is pointless. No matter how good we are, someone will be better; and even so why does it matter?
Why does it matter that we have talents, that we can express our ideas through art, because in the end who are we? Who are we that anyone should care.
We are no one.
Oh wait, no we're not. We are children of God. We are designed to glorify God. Whether it be through music, film, art, your job or whatever, the end goal is supposed to be to glorify God.
When you use your abilities to glorify man (most likely yourself) it is then pointless. Worthless. It makes me wonder what keeps godless people going. They have goals they are trying to meet, but when they have achieved them, what then? Even if the whole world knows their name, in the end what happens? They can look at a beautiful sunset and acknowledge its beauty, but what is its beauty for? What is the point of its beauty? Why should they care?
I agree with the thought you had about what keeps people going who do not believe in a God to glorify. I also wonder what their biggest motivation is. I believe there can be other motivations such as seeking recognition for their work or working to provide for their families (which is what I think you were referring to when you said that they have goals that they are trying to meet) but I agree what do they truly define as success?
ReplyDeleteNot only success, but their purpose. And I guess people could use success as purpose, but what does that look like. And family is one thing, but on the other hand if there is no god, then what is the point of your family or why do they matter. There is no end purpose to it. So basically what keeps godless people from killing themselves is my ultimate question.
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