You’ll begin to notice a pattern. Each Freedom video in the series of 52 begins with the letter "P" because those words seem to communicate the truths that have been helpful to me, and it’s memorable. Some will be more helpful than others, and some may not click until later.
Freedom has been the main focus of the last two videos. Why is freedom just the beginning? Because freedom begs a whole other question. Freedom for what? The power to pick and choose is an amazing gift. Many have died for that right. But, what we choose and why we choose it is just as important. This is the challenge and final words of Joshua that are recorded before he dies. Last words often hold a lot of meaning. Maybe that could be a new series? Last words? Sorry, rabbit trail.
Here are challenging words found in the book of Joshua in the Bible. Before Joshua dies he tells the people of Israel to pick.
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Jos 24:15 NKJV)
Listen to this story about one philosopher’s use of His freedom…his pick, if you will…Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who lived during the time of Alexander the Great when he ruled the known world. He lived by the belief that action was better than theory and he lived what most would consider an extremely unusual lifestyle.
Alexander and Diogenes by Caspar de Crayer, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)
One day, as Diogenes was living as a tattered beggar, wander and philosopher on the streets, he was approached by Alexander the Great with a great entourage. Alexander the Great, who had conquered the known world, was impressed by Diogenes as a philosopher. Alexander approached Diogenes and cast a shadow over him because he sat on the ground. Alexander made this massive offer, “I would like to offer you half my kingdom.” Diogenes, looking up at Alexander said, “Stand out of my light.” In other words, you and your offer are blocking me from the Big Why of my life. While we might see such an offer as tremendous freedom and fulfillment, Diogenes viewed it as just the opposite.
How would you have responded to that offer and why? You can let me know in the comments.
Listen to this quote by Gerald May: "Freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want, but to do what we most deeply want."
So that’s the question? Why Live Today? What’s the meaning of life; the Big Why of your life? What are you living for? Have you made a clear and intentional choice or pick with your freedom? Have you settled that? How is that working for you when it comes to loneliness and addiction?
Here's the related mystery movie quote - “He chose poorly." And a bit later in the movie, the same character says, "He chose wisely.”
EXERCISE: Here’s an exercise to help you determine the why that you are actually living for. It's called the T test. I’m not talking about tea that you drink, although a lightly sweetened Matcha Tea Late with half and half…I digress, and my kids are disgusted. They don't understand or appreciate Matcha. I believe and hope there is someone else there who also values Matcha:-)
The following "T" test questions will help you determine what your “Big Why” is and if you are living for it.
- When I have free time what do I do?
- What do I do with my treasures/possessions/money?
- How do I use my talents/skills/strengths?
- What do I think about the most or a lot?
- What do I talk about most of the time with the people in my life?
- Lastly, what is the tik of my tok? In other words, what is the why or motive behind any of the answers to the above questions? I could be spending money, going on a date, playing video games and my motive ("The Why") can be good or bad depending on my heart posture.
Caution – Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater…what you and I are pursuing isn’t necessarily bad in and of itself. It’s about the why, the motive, AND what’s at the center of our hearts.
I’m going to throw in an Alexander the Great bonus question. A friend of mine who helps inmates in jails and prisons has another question that can be quite insightful about your heart or helping someone to know the motives and Big Why of their heart. This also might be a good question for a friend, future spouse or job applicant.,
“If you had unlimited resources, what would you do with it?”
Here is the response of Jesus when he was offered all of the kingdoms of the world:
"I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me." Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'" - [Luke 4:6-8 NLT]
Here's my prayer. I invite you to pray something similar. "Lord, help us turn from evil and make you the real Why of our life. Search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). Help us to know thoughts and desires are really driving our actions.
You might say, like me, that you know that Jesus is supposed to be your Big Why, but you don’t know HOW to make him your Big Why or what that looks like. I will begin to discuss that in our next video, but don’t rush ahead and be sure to continually revist your Big Why, otherwise you will end up on the wrong trajectory, headed back into loneliness and addiction.
I would love to hear from you. You can place your comments below. Until next time, this is Why Live Today.
References, Resources and Links
Movie Clip - https://youtu.be/8wU8k2kDaTo - Follow the white rabbit - Matrix - 1:00-1:07
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Jos 24:15 NKJV)
The painting of Diogenes and Alexander the Great by Caspar de Crayer (between 1625 and 1630) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caspar_de_Crayer_Alexander_and_Diogenes.jpg
I recommend the book where I heard this story about Diogenes and Alexander the Great: Stand Out of Our Light by James Williams
“Freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want, but to do what we most deeply want.” - Gerald May
Mystery Movie Clips - “He chose poorly...He chose wisely." - The Knight, Last Crusade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3RN9zz77Cs
Exercise: Here is the T test to determine what you are living for. What is the Big Why of your life?
- When I have free time what do I do?
- What do I do with my treasures/possessions/money?
- How do I use my talents/skills/strengths?
- What do I think about the most or a lot?
- What do I talk about most of the time with the people in my life?
- Lastly, what is the tik of my tok? In other words, what is the why or motive behind any of these? I could be spending money, going on a date, playing video games and my motive - the why - can be good or bad depending on my heart posture.
My friend’s question: “If you had unlimited resources, what would you do?”
Here is the response of Jesus when he was offered all of the kingdoms of the world:
"I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me." 8 Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'" - [Luk 4:6-8 NLT]
Bonus reference - “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” [Luk 9:25 NLT]