Purpose

First, an aside:
I have had this draft on the docket for a couple of days now but hadn't completed my essay. Today one of our pastors spoke on the same topic. (I love it when God does that.) I thought that it must be time to finish.

I work part time at the city library as a reference assistant, which is simply a quasi-librarian without a masters degree. I have always loved libraries and as such, am immensely happy to work in one. Many of us retain the ideological stereotype of libraries as serene edifices where noise of any sort is quickly stifled, and patrons are free to roam unfettered through the stacks, ingesting copious amount of knowledge-- but the current age of information and technology has began to alter the traditional notion of libraries... and even books. In response, libraries are redefining themselves, and branching out into before unknown territories. I applaud this effort as long as we don't self-destruct by completely reinventing ourselves. There are a number of places where one might read, surf the net, and drink coffee but none that offers the full complement of services available at the local library. We are irreplaceable.

That brings me to my reason for this post: Purpose. Without fully understanding the purpose of something, it's hard to know what to do with it, why it exists, or even if it's worth keeping. That goes for everything from stuff piled in junk drawers, to relationships, and (dare I say) human life. If we don't understand the function and the value of that function, things easily become disposable. If however, the mission is clear, it is easy to fiercely defend against any and every thing that threatens that goal.

So it is with my relationship with the Lord. He is my purpose. I was created in His image to give Him glory. I am an ambassador for Christ. That is the reason that I exist and that is a privilege in which I find great joy and peace. Therefore, as each new season of life brings unforeseen challenges and opportunities, every decision must pass through the filter of that purpose. I embrace everything that enhances my mission, and discard anything that hinders or distracts from it. The end goal remains unchanged; to reflect the glory of the living God. I hope that public libraries will also employ the wisdom required to retain their unique place in society.

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Contrast

Yesterday, I was grocery shopping when my husband pointed out that another shopper had brought their dog into the store. I spotted the small, scraggly, canine perched in a cart nearby, trying to jump to freedom, unharnessed, unvested, and clearly not a service animal. Though the sign on the entrance stated that non-service animals are not permitted in the store, the employees stood by helpless, as they are "not allowed to say anything."

Today, I was parking in a lot shared by several businesses, toward the center of the rather large lot, when my children noticed that there was an unsupervised child sleeping in the car next to ours. He looked to be around three and was fast asleep in his booster seat. There was no sign of a parent, or guardian anywhere in sight. Since I didn't have a cell phone, I entered the business that I'd come for and told the clerk. She called her manager and they decided to page the owner of the vehicle. The woman that I'd seen browsing the used books near the front of the store, on her cell phone responded to the call, and left.

I could not help but notice the irony of those two scenarios that played out just a day apart and just a few miles from each other. What is wrong with our culture when our children are of less value and priority than our pets? And, why is there no regard for rules that protect the health of others? It is a sad commentary on the spiritual health of our nation. It grieves my heart.

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." 2 Timothy 3:1-5