What We're Meant To Do

“So humankind’s job description is clearly stated. We were not designed just to live in mystic communion with our Maker, as so often suggested. Rather, we were created to govern the earth with all its living things – and to that specific end we were made in the divine likeness.” (Spirit of the Disciplines, 48)

Well, here I am again. I’m at that place in life, asking the questions, “What am I doing here?” “What is my purpose?” Well, as Willard points out, the answer to my questions are found in the beginning of Genesis. We all, myself included, are to “govern the earth with all its living things”. Can it really be that simple?

This doesn’t answer my questions, how am I going to pay my bills, how do I raise my kids, how do I plant a church, or any number of the thousands of questions I am seeking answers to in how to live my life. At first glance, I think Willard is simply speaking in a platitude. But as I read and re-read what Dallas wrote I am amazed at how packed the statement above really is.

First, we were created to govern “with” all living things. This doesn’t mean that I somehow have the weight of the world on my shoulders. Every single person is to govern with each other. This means that we are to work in unity to govern existence.

Second, we do this because we were made in divine likeness. In other words, we can’t do this apart from our Creator. The only way we can govern creation is in relation to the one who set everything into motion.

Third, everything we do is important because we have a purpose or mission. No matter what we choose to put our hands to we now use this to govern our world. Whether work or play or sport or invention, everything that we are and do revolves around governing the world we live in. This means that everything we do matters and everyone matters.