The Purpose Driven Life: Day 5

I’m not doing a very good job of keeping up with my daily posts!

Okay, in day 5, Warren asserts that how we see life is a choice, and that that choice affects our behavior – how we choose to live.  He asks us to “see life from God’s view” and says the bible offers 3 metaphors for life:  it is a test, it is a trust, and it is a temporary assignment.

I agree that how we see life is a choice and that it affects how we choose to live.  I wrote about this here.

I’m struggling with what seems to me to be circular logic and contradictory statements regarding “God’s” relationship to man according to Warren.  How can life be a test if “God” knows all, makes no mistakes, and relies on sin to accomplish his plan, as Warren asserts in day 2?  I don’t see how predetermination and free will can coexist.

Assuming free will does exist, I don’t find the metaphor of life as a test especially helpful.  Tests are measuring devices, they are not teaching or learning devices – if all of life is one big evaluation, when are we ever supposed to learn what we’re being evaluated on?  Aside from that, viewing life as a test would also seem to promote self-judgment and shame every time you “got the answer wrong,” not to mention fear and anxiety over the prospect of going to hell for eternity as a result.

I find more meaning in viewing life’s events as growth opportunities.  Whereas a test measures what you learned, a growth opportunity is about new learning.  Tests tell you whether you’re “good” or “bad.”  Growth opportunities offer hope in that each one is another chance for you to heal the divide between your ego and your soul, between that in you which is not Good and that in you which is.  If you find yourself in the same unpleasant situation over and over again, recognize that this is merely You – Being, Love, God, Awareness, True Self – providing you – ego, false self – yet another opportunity to discover that in you which is not Good so you can let it go (I wrote about my own recurring struggle with dishonesty, control, and external validation seeking here).

Warren asserts that life is a trust – that “God” has entrusted man with the care of “His” creation.  While I do not agree with the Christian dogma in Warren’s words, I know the sentiment to be true experientially.  One need look no further than how it feels to help a person or an animal in need – offering genuine help in the face of genuine need – versus ignoring them to know that we are meant to take care of one another and of the planet.

This is not about morals – “right” vs. “wrong.”  This is about healing the internal divide – living according to your deepest values and desires.  Some among you may say you have no deep and abiding desire to care for others, or animals, or the planet, so the assertion that life is a trust is not true for you.  That’s okay.  Only you know the contents of your soul.  No one else can dictate your soul’s path.

When Warren says that life is a temporary assignment, he talks about it as if life were a job and “God” were our boss.  He draws on bible verses to assert that, when we die, “God” will evaluate how well we took care of that with which He trusted us, will give us an attaboy for a job well done, will give us a promotion with more fulfilling work and greater responsibility, and will honor us with a celebration.

Meh.  Again, focusing on the future goes against every spiritual tradition, including Christianity (Jesus said “Worry not for tomorrow…).  We find our purpose here and now, not there and then.  Focusing more on the reward you expect to get in the future than on whether your work today is fulfilling is a fast track to a hellish life.

TL;DR:  No tl;dr for virtual book club posts.