Meeting True Needs

by J. Paul Briggs

Blaise Pascal, the famous philosopher and scientist of the mid-19th Century, compared the choice of believing in God to be a much better risk than what we are often willing to take when gambling at the poker table. Afterall, when taking a chance on believing in God, there is little or nothing to lose and everything to gain, even eternal bliss. His point is most likely directed at agnostics who are ‘sitting on the fence’ trying to decide based on cost/benefits whether to believe or not, or those with a lack luster faith, an apathy, or even an antipathy toward God. Yet, it is somewhat of an insult to our God-given ‘intelligence’ that one should be swayed by such a rationalization rather than by a heartfelt realization. That is, all of life comes from an ultimate source, the cause of all existence, and our own lives come with an added purpose and mission to love, as God loves us.

God breathes His life in us and on all souls and through this we find meaning, our calling, and what God intends for us to do and to be. God provides the Holy Spirit, His angels, and the saints to direct, protect, and correct us along the way, and to connect us to God, family, and the right people that God intends for us. God gives us the universal teaching church, the sacraments, and sanctifying grace enabling awareness of His presence in our lives and in others and helps us achieve His purpose.
The author introduces the term “meeting true needs” to indicate the ultimate purpose in life. True needs have spiritual and social dimensions and are directed at meeting God’s Greatest Commandment. Ironically, this idea runs counter to the commonly accepted cultural and academic beliefs about our human needs. Understanding the true meaning of life requires a complete view of our human nature and needs. This influences how one relates to others and goes about trying to improve life at every individual, social, societal, and cultural.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2018