Real Life

 God's purpose was for the nations to seek after him and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is never far from any one of us.  For in him, we live and move and have our being.  Acts 17:27-28a

It is where I "live and move and have my being" that my core values and purpose are revealed.  It is not whether I have religious learning, but rather whether I can search and seek God in the center of the life and the community where I live.  Finding God provides real life and energy to interact with creation and live meaningfully, having an impact on it all, even on myself.  This God-given life can "move" me internally and externally.

This provides me with transparency because my source and vision can easily be seen and makes me easy to trust.  This transparency, this filtration of ideas, action and life (without dualism), leaves no room for inconsistency.  This is where "core values" emerge.  They are enduring and consistent, augmented with power and placement through the Holy Spirit.

When spoken well and lived consistently, my beliefs are reassuring to the doubtful and questioning.  A consistent set of priorities can emerge for myself - not just "meaning" but also movement towards God for whom I am in contact.  This is where true life lies, enmeshed within an expanding and growing relationship with God within and expanding and growing relationship with others.