A lot of people don't get why we're here. They really wonder about the meaning of life. This includes some Christians! So think about the people that don't believe in God. I think they would be even more lost! Because if you really think about it, what is the point of seventy, or eighty, or even ninety years on earth if there is nothing left when it's over? If there's nothing after death, then isn't life absurd?
The Bible says that everything in life has a reason and a purpose, a beginning and an end. The Forest Service burns trees down specifically so they can re-seed. In the death of trees, there's a replenishment of life. When you eat an apple, you think you've consumed the total fruit, but there's a seed there. It replenishes life!
Ends, then, are beginnings. Why should it be different with people? It's not. It's the same with human life. Our lives don't end. In the Bible, when people died, Jesus said, "They're just sleeping." In Jesus's eyes, the dead are not dead, they're just sleeping. Life after death might look different, and it might end up being different. I think it will be different. But it won't end.
I believe in eternal life. I believe there is an eternity for me. There is more for me after I die. I will join up with the King.
But I don't think our reason and purpose is merely to continue on after death. There is a reason we're here. There is something we're here to do. And that is to live a life of Jesus. In other words, we're here to serve. We're here to be Ambassadors of Christ.
A lot of people forget this, even in the Christian world. You'd be amazed at how many Christians regard the Old Testament as just an old book that they don't need to read. The Old Testament is part of our story! It's part of the Gospel message, and part of Israel's story. You know, when God created Adam and Eve, He created life in its perfection. Imperfection was brought in by a decision that Adam and Eve made. And then Jesus came down to redeem that mistake.
Through one man's decision to eat the fruit of a tree, judgment entered the world. Through another man's decision to die on a tree, there's redemption for that judgment. That's our story. That's the concept of salvation. But it's too easy to finish the story there. That isn't where it ends.
Those of us who truly understand who Jesus is realize that following Him is not just a matter of saying, "Well, I'll accept Christ as my savior and then I'll just hang out." No, choosing Christ is choosing a very special way of life. You don't just accept your salvation and then do nothing. Christ is our reason, even when we don't understand. He is our purpose, even when we've lost our way.
The purpose of life, the reason we're here, is to live a life of discipleship. The reason and purpose of your life is to follow Him.
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Jeremy Affeldt, pitcher for the three time Baseball World Champion San Francisco Giants and Major League Pitcher for 14 years, retired from playing baseball last month. His streak of 22 consecutive scoreless appearances in the post season trails Mariano Rivera's mark by only one. He is an all-time leader in postseason ERA, with a minimum of 30 innings, with an 0.86.
He follows the belief that "No Man Shall Live For Himself" and "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself." Jeremy is a humanitarian, philanthropist and is co-founder of Generation Alive. He works to end human trafficking, feed the hungry and end poverty. He is the author of To Stir A Movement, Life, Justice, and Major League Baseball. His second book is expected to be released in 2016. He is available for appearances and speaking engagements. Follow him on twitter @JeremyAffeldt. and @GenerationAlive