Do you believe that we all have a purpose?

[Planogirl]

A few friends and I were discussing some philosophical things yesterday and one question that we really had trouble with is whether we are all here for some purpose. In other words, we wondered whether our lives had some preordained meaning and that we had certain things to accomplish during our lifetime.

Personally, I don't feel like anything is actually preordained. I feel like we are born with certain talents and aptitudes and that we should try to use those to the best of our ability. Other than that, I think that the actions of others and chance also determines what we do with our lives.

One friend felt that we were born with our life's path already predetermined. I have trouble believing that.

What do you think? Or is this too deep? I know that my head hurts after just typing this.

 

[Froggyswife]

Are we here for a purpose? I think so
But we also have free will so yes we are here for a purpose but we choose weather or not to carry out that purpose.

 

[bevtoy]

I believe that each of us has a free will in determining a purpose for our lives.
We choose good or bad. There is a God who is willing to guide you in that purpose if you open the eyes of your heart.

 

[Planogirl]

I like the idea of us determining our own purpose. The thought of predetermination (or fate I guess) just doesn't ring true to me.

This friend also felt like we had one and only one soul mate, also predetermined. It all seems just too rigid to me.

 

[NAB]

We have free will do right or wrong. Only can say what will happen. If you chose to sit at home and do nothing that is what you get. I know that you can have more than one soul mate. I have had two. When my first one died in an accident my second one came along. They are two totally different people but I love them the same and they love me for who I am .

 

[faith]

Well said Bevtoy.

 

[redshoes]

I really believe that we all have a purpose in life, but its not just one great thing. However, I dont believe that our lives are predetermined. I think that we are given agency to make choices that can change the whole direction of our lives. There are choices in my life that I have made that if I would have gone in the exact opposite direction I would not be where I am today. I think our purpose can change and grow as we do but that we all have things that we need to accomplish with the skills and talents that we are given.

 

[Barb D]

“God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.” Bill Watterson, in Calvin and Hobbes

 

[Charade]

A few friends and I were discussing some philosophical things yesterday and one question that we really had trouble with is whether we are all here for some purpose. In other words, we wondered whether our lives had some preordained meaning and that we had certain things to accomplish during our lifetime.

Personally, I don't feel like anything is actually preordained. I feel like we are born with certain talents and aptitudes and that we should try to use those to the best of our ability. Other than that, I think that the actions of others and chance also determines what we do with our lives.

One friend felt that we were born with our life's path already predetermined. I have trouble believing that.

What do you think? Or is this too deep? I know that my head hurts after just typing this.

It could be either. There's no way to prove it UNTIL we can go back in time.

I don't believe each person has a preordained purpose for being on the earth. I think that everything that happens to us is mostly by chance. We do have some control over what we do as an individual but it's mostly random chance IMO.

 

[Holly]

In a theological sense, no.

 

[miss missy]

Are we here for a purpose? I think so
But we also have free will so yes we are here for a purpose but we choose weather or not to carry out that purpose.

I agree. And some never find theirs. Look at the talents some have, thats gotta mean something.

 

[goofygirl]

Everyone has a talent, a purpose and a niche. I am not sure about it being predetermined though. But when I see things a like a child prodigy who does something like write symphonies at the age of 7, or a boy becoming a physics whiz in a college at 10, you really have to wonder.

No I do not believe everyone has a soulmate. I think some people are destined to be alone. I don't mean that in a bad way. Not everyone is meant to be paired off and they are meant to channel their energy into something else other than a mate.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for the feedback. I imagine that my little group will continue discussing this simply because there is no real answer. At least not one that we can prove.

Goofygirl, I agree. Some people are very happy alone and I can't imagine that they have this great soulmate out there somewhere. It's a romantic notion but not very practical IMO.

 

[Buckalew11]

It is my belief that our greatest purpose is loving God. And that includes a lot of things with one of them being "loving others". I think you are talking more about careers and those types of daily choices but above all, IMHO, is having a relationship with God. If you believe what the Bible says is true (& I know some do and some don't and some don't take it literally but still believe), you know that in the Garden, God came and walked with man every day. For whatever reason, God wanted a relationship with man and I still believe that is true to this day. So, it is my opinion that while we are here, it is our purpose to maintain a relationship with God. That relationship can effect all your other choices by allowing God to guide you. But, I think we all choose our own ways at least some of the time. I'm in no way saying if you allowed God to guide you that your life would be perfect. But I know there is peace is following the ways of God. I am saying that I think our purpose, looking at the big picture of life, is about our relationship to God. JMHO.

 

[jimmiej]

I believe we were all created with this two-fold purpose:

-love God
-love others

It's a choice.

 

[Beca]

It is my belief that our greatest purpose is loving God. And that includes a lot of things with one of them being "loving others". I think you are talking more about careers and those types of daily choices but above all, IMHO, is having a relationship with God. If you believe what the Bible says is true (& I know some do and some don't and some don't take it literally but still believe), you know that in the Garden, God came and walked with man every day. For whatever reason, God wanted a relationship with man and I still believe that is true to this day. So, it is my opinion that while we are here, it is our purpose to maintain a relationship with God. That relationship can effect all your other choices by allowing God to guide you. But, I think we all choose our own ways at least some of the time. I'm in no way saying if you allowed God to guide you that your life would be perfect. But I know there is peace is following the ways of God. I am saying that I think our purpose, looking at the big picture of life, is about our relationship to God. JMHO.

What a great post!!! One of my favorite film moments is in "Bruce Almighty" when Jim Carrey asks Morgan Freeman (aka "God"), "How do you make someone love you?", and he replies, "I wish I knew". I think it is God's most sincere desire that we love him, believe in him, and thank him for the steps he has taken not only to create each of us, but to redeem us as well. But, being the loving father he is....he would never demand it of us. Just as he gave the angels in heaven a choice of "sides", I believe he puts all of us on this Earth as a gift to each of us...he allows us to decide whether we walk in the garden with him or not....it is the ultimate "If you love something, let it go...." scenario.

One of my favorite writers, Chuck Missler details the free will/pre-ordained scenario very well in his book "Alien Encounters". He uses mathematics and discussions of physics to show that time is not linear, but only appears as such to us because we are three-dimensional entities. He then goes on to explain how our God is multi-dimensional, and can therefore see the time continuum from the "Alpha to the Omega" much like we could see a timeline written on a piece of paper. Therefore, he knows what we will choose to do, who will win what battles, including the ultimate struggle between good and evil without actually "influencing" our decision. Thus, although our Heavenly Father can see the choices we make....he has, in fact given us free will. It's kind of the ultimate "knowing us better than we know ourselves" situation. So, you see....God knew before he put us on this Earth which path we would choose....he could've kept us with him, never given us the choice, and had us forever. But, he doesn't do that...he would rather us choose the wrong path than not have the choice to choose. I cannot even fathom the depth of love that such a step would require.

I just have one question...Plano girl...how old are you? By reading your posts, I always assumed you were around my age (I'm 36). But, something in your post made me think you are younger. If you are younger...I am very impressed with your thoughts and desires. I think you are a deeply compassionate person....here's to you!!!

I am not far from you...if you ever want to meet and discuss "matters of life and the universe", drop me a line....



Beca

 

[Buckalew11]

What a great post!!! One of my favorite film moments is in "Bruce Almighty" when Jim Carrey asks Morgan Freeman (aka "God"), "How do you make someone love you?", and he replies, "I wish I knew". I think it is God's most sincere desire that we love him, believe in him, and thank him for the steps he has taken not only to create each of us, but to redeem us as well. But, being the loving father he is....he would never demand it of us. Just as he gave the angels in heaven a choice of "sides", I believe he puts all of us on this Earth as a gift to each of us...he allows us to decide whether we walk in the garden with him or not....it is the ultimate "If you love something, let it go...." scenario.

One of my favorite writers, Chuck Missler details the free will/pre-ordained scenario very well in his book "Alien Encounters". He uses mathematics and discussions of physics to show that time is not linear, but only appears as such to us because we are three-dimensional entities. He then goes on to explain how our God is multi-dimensional, and can therefore see the time continuum from the "Alpha to the Omega" much like we could see a timeline written on a piece of paper. Therefore, he knows what we will choose to do, who will win what battles, including the ultimate struggle between good and evil without actually "influencing" our decision. Thus, although our Heavenly Father can see the choices we make....he has, in fact given us free will. It's kind of the ultimate "knowing us better than we know ourselves" situation. So, you see....God knew before he put us on this Earth which path we would choose....he could've kept us with him, never given us the choice, and had us forever. But, he doesn't do that...he would rather us choose the wrong path than not have the choice to choose. I cannot even fathom the depth of love that such a step would require.

I just have one question...Plano girl...how old are you? By reading your posts, I always assumed you were around my age (I'm 36). But, something in your post made me think you are younger. If you are younger...I am very impressed with your thoughts and desires. I think you are a deeply compassionate person....here's to you!!!

I am not far from you...if you ever want to meet and discuss "matters of life and the universe", drop me a line....



Beca

Beca, I applaud your post also! You made wonderful points and say things so well.

PS I'll be joining you very soon at BCV! We passed!!

 

[Beca]

Beca, I applaud your post also! You made wonderful points and say things so well.

PS I'll be joining you very soon at BCV! We passed!!

Yay!!! Congrats!!! I just love that place!!



Beca

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for the compliment Beca. Actually, I'm older but that's all I'll say.

My questions come from a long deep discussion I had with two friends this weekend. It got me to thinking (always dangerous) and I decided that I was curious to see what some DISers would say.

I personally believe that we have free will and that our purposes are what me make them. One of my friends believes that our path is already in place and that we make the decisions that we are supposed to make. I have trouble believing that.

The idea that time isn't actually linear is fascinating and something else to consider. And it fits into some of the philosophies we've been kicking around.

 

[Pop Daddy]

In other words, we wondered whether our lives had some preordained meaning and that we had certain things to accomplish during our lifetime.

if everything is preordained, we just got to do what where gonna do and hope we have a good part