Patrick and Telar, a quick drawing of friends I just came across in an old sketchbook and seeming to fit here.
Here’s one for you.
There was a man all alone, wealthy, but without family. He had his work, but it wasn’t enough. In the end he asked himself, “What am I doing all this for?”*
Have you ever experienced that? I have, like when Anne’s been away for a few days. That doesn’t happen too often. (Actually, it is too often, just not very often.) At first I’m fine, relishing the time to really focus on whatever I’m doing.
But after a couple of days, I begin to run out of enthusiasm or, rather, out of “reason.” Like the guy in Ecclesiastes I begin to wonder, “Who am I doing all this for?”
It’s funny . . . up until that moment I would not have thought I was doing it for Anne, at least not the projects that have nothing to do with her. But as they weren’t for anyone else either, she fulfills (yet another) need I didn’t know I had.
A friend of mine experienced the same thing in a bigger way after his wife died. After his grieving, he threw himself into his work as his purpose for living but in time he had the same question: “What am I doing all this for?”
As it happened, he reconnected with an old friend, also recently widowed; they married and are now, in the natural course of things, happily doing things for each other.
Not everybody can do that. But everyone needs someone, who, if only in the background, they’re doing things for. Otherwise we run out of reasons; and when we run out of reasons we run out of everything.
Nowadays, whenever I start losing track of what I’m doing and why I am doing it, I think of someone I can dedicate the work to. They may never know . . . but it helps me.
Certainly it helps in writing a blog, having an idea that someone’s out there, reading, reflecting, and maybe responding. That’s why, in the first line, I dedicated this one to you.
Thanks for being there, giving me a reason to be here.
________________________
*Ecclesiastes 4:8 my paraphrase
Next: Having Enough. Coming Sunday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
6:06 am
Hyatt,
I have been remiss in not responding to your wonderful musings; of which I have read in their entirety.
You are in the process of writing one of the most personal and practical commentaries on Ecclesiastes I have ever read.
You are my dear brother in the Lord, Hyatt.
Sara
6:28 am
I am so glad for my spouse to spend the ‘rest’ of my life with. I agree whole heartily with Hyatt while I don’t get my energy from having a ton of people around me, I do miss her when she’s gone only a short while.
Frank
7:15 am
Thanks Hyatt,
I love your blog. It’s a bit like reconnecting with your Chapel talks in HB. I look forward to them. Be encouraged that we are listening, but also be aware that your Savior is extremely glad that you are using the talents He gave you.
7:30 am
Ouch…feel like I’m getting a scab picked on. You’ve touched on a healing spot that’s still a little sore.
I’m happily serving family, friends and community…
but,
the general consensus of the gals who run the show at my church is, “Carolyn, I have never met anyone harder to like than you.” That limits the “others” I’m able to serve with the grace God gave me. It’s a bummer perspective that I’m learning to steer clear of. Gotta think about what I’m thinking about.
I have to keep reminding myself of the bigger picture. The whole experience taught me that sometimes sharing the love of Jesus means being patient with people who would be easier to give up on. The main thing is Jesus keeps filling me with grace as I keep looking up. When it’s all said and done, He is the One I am “doing” for. Love for God is the reason, loving others the result.
Sometimes doing means dying to my own bents; there is no crown without the cross.
8:18 am
Hyatt,
Thanks for ‘the shot in the arm’ of encouragement to blog with an individual in mind. I have languished in my own writing as of late; excuses of time and obligations crop up but really your question For Whom Am I Working is the unanswered underlying issue. I appreciate your writing. Your words help me.
10:10 am
I only have these words…Thank-you Hyatt.
11:08 am
Interesting how it comes back to your previous blog on it taking two to succeed. In that case it was for a specific project, but here we find that success in individual efforts still relies on others (certainly to find purpose). We were not meant to be alone (but that was made clear a long time ago).
Hyatt IV
1:44 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts as you journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. I am enjoying your interpretation and am echoing “yes!”p.s. thanks for doing the work while the rest of us enjoy the ride
1:58 pm
Hyatt 4, Good point…made my mental gears turn a bit more. Humility recognizes that God and others are actually responsible for the achievements in our lives. Pride builds monuments of self-effort that only serve our own egos. No joy in that.
10:18 am
That is the great commission of Jesus. To serve others. Makes sense that we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream or imagine when we put all our heart and soul into doing His will by serving others. Always, so great to see the blessings unfold as I serve others, working for others! Again, I get the bigger blessing every time and I FEEL closer to my one and only Everlasting,Dear, Faithful Father. Thanks Hyatt! Love in Christ! Lisa
2:43 pm
Hmmm On the surface I agree… After spending 44.5 valuable years with my wife faithfully at my side in all I did (hopefully even a few more :-)) I know there were many times I focused on the fact that I was doing much for her. And yet, doesn’t that tend to leave our relationships very 2-dimensional? Ultimately, aren’t we “working for”, i.e., finding purpose and identity in, the 3-dimensional relationship that comes with a personal relationship with a living, loving God?
5:04 pm
I am out here Hyatt….reading (always), reflecting (always), responding (sometimes)….thank you!
3:57 am
I have felt that way many times, and even up to now, I do, sometimes…I ask myself, what is my purpose, why am I here for? It is sometimes hard to discern especially if you do not get any affirmation, validation, confirmation, and appreciation…
You may not know it, but people are watching and reading and admiring you…I am here…I am reading you and reflecting on what you are saying…All the time we call on a Higher being, asking for the ability to discern, to know one’s place under the sun, or to make a sense of what we do in life…and people like you are probably the answer or the light so people like me can be inspired to keep on doing the right thing, or be inspired to create wonderful pieces of arts…or be also a light to brighten other people’s paths to life…I’m glad I have stumbled upon your site.