I think of a joke where someone arrived in heaven and found everyone dancing the Hokey Cokey.
The person asked why everyone was doing the Hokey Cokey. The reply was, “that’s what it’s all about” 😀.
Anyway, seriously, I like to answer daily prompts “off the top of my head” – if you’re not familiar with that phrase, it just means saying the first thing that comes to mind. For today’s question, I think of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
This is based on Scriptural teaching. I think firstly about how Jesus asnwered someone who asked him what the greatest commandment is:
Matthew 22:27-40
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
These commandments were actually given back in the Old Testament. Jesus consistently endorsed the Old Testament, which is one of the reasons that I believe it rather than dismiss it, as some liberals/modernists do. Civil and ceremonial laws weren’t continued into the New Testament church, but the moral principles were. And these two commandments summarize these. People might differ on how you implement them, but it’s easy to tell the difference between a loving person and a nasty, devilish person.
Other related verses include the following:
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Psalm 73:24-26
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
John 17:22-24 (The prayer of Jesus on the night before He died)
22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one, 23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
What about enjoying Him forever? We enjoy God directly, but all good things in life, such as music and nice people are gifts from Him.
1 Peter 1:8
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Acts 14:17-18 (Paul speaking to pagans at Lystra)
17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
When I read these verses, I’m reminded of how much I’m distracted from knowing the real meaning of life. And perhaps that’s how everyone feels in this life. Like the Prodigal son, I have returned to the Father, but I can get distracted and have moments when worldly things loom large. But every day, I try to do things that address my spiritual health as well as my physical and mental health. Hymns are among the things that help me with that:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace
Hibernia Gospel 