Purpose and Design - Objective Truths to Encourage With

My investigation, into the purposed function of the Christian faith in our day and age, has me traveling all over. Previously, in the Netherlands, the believers greatly encouraged me in my efforts to travel, share, and learn about the reality and relevance of Christianity.

So I set off for Vietnam, and have been living and working here for more than four months. At the least it brought me to appreciate the abundant luxuries and numerous blessings I grew up with. Surrounded by godlessness, my current reflections relate to my growing knowledge and understanding of the purpose of life, and, a life of purpose. Teleology, the belief that purpose and design are a part of and apparent in nature, is a great help in coping with the frustrations of a fallen world.

When striking out to be a bearer of truth, opposition will never be far off, ready to counter your every move. As fellow believers we can encourage and cheer each other on, on the journey of revealing the truth to the world. This is one of the things I have found that the global Church has been purposed for today. I'd like to share an experience of this.

As we raised our mugs of Czech beer to celebrate unity, my newfound friends and I jumped at the chance to talk about living as a foreigner. These two bright-eyed Americans were answers to my prayers for intellectual stimulation, one a medical student and the other a well read businessman.

From our evaluations we noted that the Asian society have not been exposed to Christian morals or ethics, leaving much need for redemption. Affairs in Vietnam centre around fulfilling basic needs, one of which is gaining status at all cost, but without losing face. Put bluntly: lying, cheating, or stealing is overlooked, as long as you don't get caught - and if you do, have a envelope ready. This type of corruption, where rules and regulations are blatantly ignored if it suits the situation, is largely expected. All forms of boundaries are bended or reshaped for personal gain. Two steps forward and three steps back on the cultivation road if you asked me. The conduct seem to highlight the results of a godless society, and the wide acknowledgement that it is a result of a lack of choice exposes the need to knowing the truth and be set free by it.

My American friend finds himself in this business and political atmosphere. Ironically actually, for not only is he set on practising business affairs with honesty and integrity, but his passion lies towards justice and equality.  "Do to others what you would have them do to you" eccos straight through every aspect of life. The things that impassions you will lead you to the heart of the brokenness of that very thing, requiring of you to shine the light of truth on it.

Of this my friend told of some tough times. Lack of critical thinking or critical questioning as a means of improvement results in blind mindless conduct. In business, though, they uncannily defraud and shamelessly corrupt affairs, for personal gain, regardless of the moral cost.

When asked whether he liked living and serving in Vietnam, since he has lived here for 5 years, he hesitantly replied "Sometimes". Propelled by his passion, his path will continue to meet opposition, purposed to have the truth be proclaimed. Unarmed and vulnerable he will need to continue to trust in the Creator and Purposer of all life.

And so should we. His burden is one of love, and his purpose is one of divine revelation. One in a million, in this part of the world at least, but one nonetheless. At this I understood something of shared burdens. His burden and passion have different expressions than mine, but the force that drives it is the same. As fellow Christians, we could listen and encourage him in that moment, as an act of acknowledgement that his love for God propels his life forward. In that moment of shared love for our King and Creator, we all acted according to the designed purpose and divine revelation.