Life Must Have Meaning

This morning I watched a 1959 interview with Carl Jung entitled "Face to Face." Technology is amazing. I have read and studied Jung for many years. He continues to be a significant influence in my thoughts and my practice as a Therapist. Because of Jung's writings, I'm interested in a person's dreams. Dreams give a hint as what may be happening in the unconscious. In the YouTube interview, I heard Jung say that a person can't tolerate a meaningless life. I agree with that. We must have meaning. Meaning can be vastly different for different persons. Meaning may be in the family for one person; whereas it is located in one's work, for another. It is crucial that our life has some sense of meaning. A significant source of meaning for me is the call of God on my life's energies and time.

A Transformed Disciple

Sometimes I'm asked what the Christian life is all about or what is the Church's purpose? My answer is pretty simple. I believe that the Church (I mean the universal Church as well as the local church) is to be about making disciples (Matthew 28:19). A disciple is a Jesus-follower which is not the same as having sinless behavior or believing proper doctrine. How does a person become a disciple? I believe that a disciple or Jesus-follower is one whose mind (and life) has been transformed by the indwelling presence of God's Spirit (Romans 12:2). There are folks who call themselves "Red-letter Christians." By this they mean that they pay great attention to what Jesus said (many Bibles print Jesus' words in red-letters.) This may be an over-simplification but, nevertheless, I could be called a red-letter Christian. Being transformed implies that it isn't all about me and my efforts. There is a mutual relationship in which I make the effort to be available to God's Spirit and trusting that God's Spirit will accomplish what is beyond my own capabilities. The Christian life is about becoming a transformed disciple of Jesus.

Forgiveness

I often ask clients what has to be in place for them to know that they've practiced forgiveness. As can be imagined, I get a variety of responses. Whatever else may be in place, I think to give up the right to vengeance. continuing anger and reminders to the offender are some of the characteristics of forgiveness.