The Purpose of Life is Life, Itself: a meditation
In Lindsey Stirling’s “Don’t Let This Feeling Fade,” Lecrae raps:
“What really matters in life?
Is it a sprint or a marathon?
And what if finish lines make us happy?
Or are we glad we can run at all?
I never do it to lose, but losin' occurs
And when I do it for the love, lose never hurts
Loose, loose grip on what I can't hold
Who you foolin' with a handful of fool's gold?
Lose, lose, when you do it for the wins only
Love gave you meaning, it never was a trophy
It never was a trophy
Yeah, enjoy the race, homie.”
This brilliant metaphor touches my heart every time I hear it. I hear it thus: When we enter the race, are we doing it for the love of it or merely for the accolades of winning? Enjoying the race, loving the race, gratitude for being able to run the race-- these are what make it matter, not the trophy, the “fool’s gold” that we so often hold up as the purpose of the race.
Sure, winning trophies and accolades and esteem and such is nice, both literally and figuratively. Obtaining aims and goals are key to success in many areas of life. But are they the point?
I meditate on these words to remind me that they are not. It is life itself that is the purpose of life. Circular reasoning? Yes. The point of life is just that...life.
This is my meaning. We are poured into these containers at birth, and with them come abilities and limitations. We can run, walk, think, feel, accomplish, hope, dream, and stretch for those hopes and dreams. Or perhaps we can’t in some ways; I know people who can’t run, walk, think very well, feel very well, can only accomplish a little, and whose hopes and dreams are limited by their circumstances. It’s in this context that Lecrae’s rap gains a little more meaning:
“And what if finish lines make us happy, Or are we glad we could run at all?”
Look, I am somebody who has lived with suicidal ideations most of my adult life. There have been plenty of times where it would’ve felt better, at least temporarily, to end it all. But as I’ve grown older, life has gained a glimmer of meaning that I never seemed to see in those dark moments. Sure, many of the stressors remain the same. But...i can breathe. I can run. I can walk, think, feel, accomplish, hope, dream, and stretch. And I love it now. I love that I can do those things, though I can’t always do them well.
If I have a testimony of anything, it is this: Life is worth it. No matter what our circumstances are, life is worth it. Life’s purpose is life itself. And yes, it can be harsh and difficult and incredibly lonely and hard. But it is oh so worth it.
Thank you, and I love you.
“What really matters in life?
Is it a sprint or a marathon?
And what if finish lines make us happy?
Or are we glad we can run at all?
I never do it to lose, but losin' occurs
And when I do it for the love, lose never hurts
Loose, loose grip on what I can't hold
Who you foolin' with a handful of fool's gold?
Lose, lose, when you do it for the wins only
Love gave you meaning, it never was a trophy
It never was a trophy
Yeah, enjoy the race, homie.”
This brilliant metaphor touches my heart every time I hear it. I hear it thus: When we enter the race, are we doing it for the love of it or merely for the accolades of winning? Enjoying the race, loving the race, gratitude for being able to run the race-- these are what make it matter, not the trophy, the “fool’s gold” that we so often hold up as the purpose of the race.
Sure, winning trophies and accolades and esteem and such is nice, both literally and figuratively. Obtaining aims and goals are key to success in many areas of life. But are they the point?
I meditate on these words to remind me that they are not. It is life itself that is the purpose of life. Circular reasoning? Yes. The point of life is just that...life.
This is my meaning. We are poured into these containers at birth, and with them come abilities and limitations. We can run, walk, think, feel, accomplish, hope, dream, and stretch for those hopes and dreams. Or perhaps we can’t in some ways; I know people who can’t run, walk, think very well, feel very well, can only accomplish a little, and whose hopes and dreams are limited by their circumstances. It’s in this context that Lecrae’s rap gains a little more meaning:
“And what if finish lines make us happy, Or are we glad we could run at all?”
Look, I am somebody who has lived with suicidal ideations most of my adult life. There have been plenty of times where it would’ve felt better, at least temporarily, to end it all. But as I’ve grown older, life has gained a glimmer of meaning that I never seemed to see in those dark moments. Sure, many of the stressors remain the same. But...i can breathe. I can run. I can walk, think, feel, accomplish, hope, dream, and stretch. And I love it now. I love that I can do those things, though I can’t always do them well.
If I have a testimony of anything, it is this: Life is worth it. No matter what our circumstances are, life is worth it. Life’s purpose is life itself. And yes, it can be harsh and difficult and incredibly lonely and hard. But it is oh so worth it.
Thank you, and I love you.
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