I retold a story in July/August (upcoming) Calibration column of SaskBusiness magazine, about a time where I had a very difficult, veritable life or death decision to make. The tipping point in the decision came when I remember that the company was “already dead”…not literally of course…but in such a state that, without deep change, it would not survive.
Sometimes we are at junctures in our life individually much like I was corporately. We may be in a vocation, relationship or situation that we know is toxic to our soul, and while we lack the courage or resolve to change, we may know that death awaits if we do not step into the great unknown.
“Man protests against death, for he is not content with a postponement of the execution.” Henri Nouwen
It is not just that we want to avoid metaphoric death…in truth we protest our imminent departure from this earth. We all WILL die. Some sooner, some later…but ultimately our date with death is unavoidable…and the years pass faster than we realize…until we look back.
In our protest, maybe it is that we want to make decisions that will count. Something transcendent…something eternal…something purely, truly, ultimately…in any way impacting. Not just a legacy for pride’s sake…but true impact that brings a marrow-deep awareness that our life had some purpose or meaning…whether we were remembered or not.
For this to happen, it seems to me, that we must come to a deeper understanding of purpose. Purpose fulfilled brings us to the place of fulfillment. Purpose exists somewhere in origins…within the incorporate organization and in within the individual personal life.
If it is defined in creation, then it is part mystery…for so to is the Creator part mystery.
It is not what we pursue with the majority of our time effort and resources as individuals in North American culture. Individualism…especially that which is laden with self-indulgence, arrogance and indifference…can never bring fulfillment. It is not transcendent, it is not sustainable, therefore neither eternal.
The opposite must be true…not simply because it is opposite, but rather it is transcendent and sustainable…and possibly eternal. The opposite would be grace, love, compassion…selfLESSness…
Decisions that count will be selfless, and rather than simply burning up time until death, they bring life.
