Sacred Breeze Ministries - Why Do We Exist? – A Historical Perspective

Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation, job, or relationship and asked yourself what am I doing here?  Why am I in this situation?  Why am I here at all?  If not this, what should I be doing with my life?

I think everyone asks themselves these questions from time to time, especially in the transitions of life, like between jobs, between relationships, and when challenges that bring suffering and loss happen. 

You’re not alone, philosophers, theologians, and individuals have been struggling with these questions since humanity’s beginnings.  A lot of people have a lot of advice for answers to these questions.  I think we’ve all had well meaning parents and people in authority saying “you should be doing this.”  In fact, there probably have been times in life where we are the well meaning individuals offering advice, whether the advice is requested and welcome or not. 

But still, the questions persist.   Why are we here?  What is our purpose?  How should we live our lives?

Some 6000 years ago (4000 BCE), in the marshlands of eastern Iraq, Sumerian people started writing down their thoughts on the subject.  They said that humanity’s purpose is to serve the Gods by cultivating the earth, planting, harvesting, and sharing the fruits of our labors with others.  They were given tools by the Gods for this very purpose. 

Then some 3000 years ago (2000 BCE), originating in the exact same region of Iraq where the Sumerians flourished, a fellow named Abraham emigrated to present day Israel.  Abraham was told by the Hebrew God YWH that our purpose is to be a blessing to all people and to all nations.  

Then about 2600 years ago (600 BCE) this dude named Gautama Buddha appeared in ancient Nepal.  Upon recognizing the suffering that all living creatures endure, he was moved with compassion. After much introspection and meditation, the Buddha received enlightenment that revealed humanity’s purpose.  Buddha said that trying to avoid the pain and loss that all living creatures experience causes suffering.  He said that rather than trying to avoid pain and loss, we should have compassion for ourselves and for all living creatures.  Motivated by compassion rather than avoidance, we can live good productive lives, caring, working, and sharing the fruits of our labors for the benefit of ourselves and others. 

Then 2000 years ago (0 BCE – 0 AD) a young woman named Mary came along in Judah and Galilee.  She saw all the men in her community fighting for freedom from Roman occupation.  Then she saw many of them rounded up and crucified, and the road to Jerusalem lined with their crucified bodies.  She wanted her firstborn son to follow a different path than fighting, to pursue a path of peace.  She told him that she loved him deeply, and that his Father was the God of Abraham, who loves everyone on the planet, including the Roman occupiers. 

Jesus, son of Mary, grew up.  He told everyone that they are loved, and that our purpose is to love one another, and to share love with everyone on the planet.  Moved by compassion, he brought food and healing to hungry and sick people.  He demonstrated the depth of his love by taking the blame for crimes he did not commit, and giving his life so that others could go on living and sharing the messages and actions of healing and hope. 

Then some 1400 years ago (600 AD), Mohammed came along.  He said that the messages from Abraham and Jesus were worth listening to.  He said have faith, seek out peace and reconciliation with everyone, and demonstrate your faith through sharing with vulnerable people in need.

Many, many other saints and prophets, male and female, have risen up and shared similar messages.  People like Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther King Junior, the Dalai Lama, and many others have shared similar messages.  In a way, they all echo what the Sumerians said in the first place. 

Humanity’s purpose, our purpose, is to cultivate, harvest, and share our gifts with everyone.  Be a blessing to all people. Recognize that suffering and loss are a part of life, and have compassion for self and others.  Love your neighbors and those you perceive as enemies, and work toward healing and reconciliation for all.  Keep the faith, and care for others in need.

These revelations regarding humanity’s purpose for existence have survived through thousands of years of history.  They have survived wars, subjugation, exile, and even genocide.  The have survived being rewritten, reinterpreted, burned, and buried under thousands of years of dust.  And yet they live on. 

These times are much the same as any other.  People with power and money sow fears and lies and division, and rewrite and reinterpret the core messages to their advantage.  And vulnerable people listen, and are moved by those fears and lies. The core messages of sharing, compassion, and blessing for all are rewritten and reinterpreted to apply only for the benefit of those in power. 

Through it all, the core message remains.  The still small voice continues to whisper in hearts and minds.  Cultivate, harvest, share.  Be a blessing.  Have compassion. Love neighbors and enemies. Work toward healing and reconciliation for all.  Keep the faith and care for the most vulnerable.  This is our purpose.  This is our calling. 

Sometimes the voice is almost lost.  The light flickers, in Babylonian exile, in self-imposed ascetic suffering, in Roman coliseums, in Nazi concentration camps, Birmingham jails, and in American ICE internment centers. 

Even as the light flickers in those dark places, the core message always rises back up and moves hearts and minds with compassion.  The workers tasked with oppression and cruelty, staunch supporters of regimes, and even on occasion, leaders in power recognize suffering, are moved with compassion, and relent, repent, and change the course of history. 

And the hearts and minds of those who remain faithful to the call suffer with the vulnerable and oppressed, but remain strong, steadfast, carrying the light as a reminder to all who forget. 

Cultivate, harvest, and share your gifts with everyone.  Be a blessing to all people. Recognize that pain  and loss are a part of life, and have compassion for self and others.  Love your neighbors and those you perceive as enemies.  Keep the faith, and care for vulnerable others in need.

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