The "Who" and the "Why"

Robert Raines in his little book "Creative Brooding" has penned this short prayer:

We struggle in separation,
with silent longing,
lonely, and alone.
Lord, help us to reach out to each other,
and say, "I love you."

One of the Jews who had survived four different concentration camps under the German prisoner program, told how people were going insane, and some were committing suicide, and many, did not survive the terrible rigors of these inhuman places.

And when asked, "how did you make it?" he answered, "When you have a "Who" and a "Why" for your living, you can survive any "How".

I have a mission here and now, and within my reach and grasp. It does not require more education than I can muster. It does not demand more time than I can give. It is the task of simply being human, and Christian, and available to those around me...to my own children, to my neighbors, and to older persons near‑by, or a friend.

To love, and be loved in return is a worthy goal. For did not Jesus say, "Love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)

Someone once said, that you and I are like violin strings stretched out between heaven and earth. If we are stretched too tight, of course, we will snap. If we are stretched too loosely, then we will wibble‑wabble with nothing but a twang and a discord. But if we are stretched out just right, then we make good music.

Here is the meaning of life...to be stretched out before God and before our fellow‑men in service, as a living sacrifice, trying to make the good, rich music of peace.