Stars

№ 38 ☼ 4 minutes

This week, NASA released the first images from the James Webb telescope.

The photos were spectacular.

The image of Stephan’s Quintet is the one that brought me to tears.

We’ve seen it before. But this level of resolution is breathtaking.

Looking at these highly detailed images, I genuinely get emotional.

There is so much out there.

It’s easy to feel small in moments like these. And for many of us, when we feel small, we feel worthless because we’re so insignificant in comparison to such grandeur.

But I think we’ve got it wrong.

I don’t get overwhelmed by insignificance in the face of eternity. Instead, it gives me a more profound sense of meaning.

I simply cannot observe the infinite complexity and beauty around me and conclude that it is meaningless. It’s too wonderful to mean nothing!

Beauty is never, ever meaningless. Neither is life.

And if such things have meaning and purpose, so do I.

So do you.

So the question is, what gives you meaning? Where do you find your highest sense of purpose?

I think we endlessly scroll our phones, binge TV, keep surface relationships, live only for the weekend, drink excessively, smoke weed, hide behind religion, and avoid responsibility because we’re afraid. We’re running away. We’re afraid of answering that question about our reason for living. Because if we answer that question, then we have to live up to it.

So we insulate ourselves with things that comfort us, shielding us from life.

It’s true - life is overwhelming. And while these habits of self-medicating and avoidance may protect us, they also veil the true spirit of life - that it is a meaningful and grand adventure!

And to fully embrace that adventure is what we are made for. In all it’s beauty, poverty, tragedy, and bittersweet joy. We are meant for all of it. And life is absolutely worth living up to everything it demands.

We aren’t made for our iPhones.

Meaning is not found in squabbling over political matters we have no influence over.

We were never supposed to sit at desks and miserably squeeze out a living.

We were not created to be obsessed with billionaires, stock markets, or celebrities.

You were made to add beauty and love and Light to this world and you have unlimited potential to do so.

Yes, it is hard work, and yes life is also full of suffering. But if you view this world as fertile soil for a garden, then you can always find ways to bring something wonderful into existence.

You can use your phone to call a friend and ask to meet face to face, sharing love and warmth.

You can get involved in local politics to take ownership and shape your community.

You can decide to take more responsibility in your job so that you improve your boss’s life and are rewarded. Better yet, insist on a job that aligns with your values. Better to have less money and fewer things than a soulless existence.

If you are troubled by what you see in the world, past or present, don’t remain passive - become involved in the change you want to see. Anything that directs us towards the Light is meaningful and contributes to breaking patterns of injustice, hatred, and evil.

Be obsessed with what matters. I can promise you that whatever the elites are doing really does not matter. We don’t matter to them. They shouldn’t matter to us.

What is truly important is making this world more beautiful. And it is your purpose, the things that give you meaning that will allow you to do that.

When I saw those images from the James Webb, these thoughts I’m sharing with you began to form. And though I probably don’t know you personally, I wrote this down because part of my purpose in life is to encourage you.

Knowing even just one person might be encouraged is what gives me meaning.

Because sometimes that’s all it takes. You never know the size of your impact. That’s why you should always live out what gives you meaning, doing your best to bring love and Light to everyone.

You never know who you might touch along the way.