trees and cookies: the purpose of life

last night we showed the rob bell nooma titled trees (003). it has been really cool to watch the students as they break out of their traditional church models and begin to experience real christianity. at the beginning of the summer, these videos really freaked the kids out and now they are begging for more.

our post-viewing conversation went in the direction of what one should do with their life in order to be used by God. there were many traditional answers like read our bibles, go to church and "witness" to others but for the most part, it seems that these answers were no longer good enough. these students are ready for a change. they are tired of the same answers and they are sick of doing things the same way. they want something real. senseing this, i followed the spirit and took a chance. we then changed directions and offered this as the meaning of life. to live.

pretend that God created each of us like one bakes cookies. we all come from the same dough and we're made up of the same stuff yet God gives each of us something different. i think traditional christianity would claim that God has a cookie cutter that is the christian mold. he takes the dough, and makes all christians look and act a certian way and if someone doesn't look or act this way, they must not be a true christian. i think this is one of the greatest tragedies in christianity today, the idea that we all have to fit into some kid of pre-cut mold or box. the reality is this, God has zillions of cookie cutters, and we each get our own. while we all come from the same stuff, God makes us all different and gives us different passions and gifts. the point of the christian life and life in general then is to seek and listen to God, for He will show us our passions. once we know our passion, what makes us happiest, we can give it all we got knowing that God is glorified in us when we are doing what we were created to do. God gets glory when we live life as our own unique person created by one mold which was broken after God created us. know one else can be you in this world, let your life shine with glory.