Even The Richest Man On Earth Is Still In Search Of
Purpose
The day was Thursday,June 20, 2006. We all woke up to hear
that the world's richest man, Bill Gates, will be stepping down
from day to day executive activities at Microsoft. This transition
will take place over a two year period. I think this was Mr
Gates exact words: "I'm very lucky to have two passions
that I feel are so important and so challenging..."
Wao, those are strong words, coming from a man of Gates' worth
and abilities. Two things are so important and so challenging?
No one could doubt that Microsoft and software development have
been Gates' passion. But the second one? Dedicating the rest
of his life working at a charitable organization which he and
Melinda founded.
Now, this is what is so suprising about this whole deal...Gates
seem to suggest that the work at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
is as important and as challenging as his work at Microsoft.
How can giving away billions of dollars for charity be as important
and as challenging as software development and amassing billions
of dollars? If you don't think this is a huge paradigm change,
then may be, you don't understand the issues at stake. In fact,
in Gates' own words, "This was a hard decision for me".
And this is even more glaring when we consider that Gates is
only 51 years or so old.
What's the big deal, you say? To my mind, Gates' decision to
devote more time to charity is proof that even the richest man
on earth and one of the smartest human beings the world has
ever known, is actively in search of meaning for his own life.
What is the purpose of money in itself, except as a tool to
accomplishing general good to humanity and fulfilling God's
will? Bill Gates is telling me clearly, by his decision, that
the will to meaning is more important than any other human need.
Yes, money, even lots of it, as in the case of Bill Gates,
can not satisfy the desire in all of us to make our lives count
for something intrinsically more valuable than material things
or fame. There is a void in all of us that money or pleasure
can not fill. That void can only be filled when we find out
who we are and what we were created to be and do. "It's
in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living
for"( Message), makes more sense to me in the light of
the above.
One more thought. What life goals am I setting for myself?
It had better not be a mere physical or materialistic goal.
Bill Gates has proven to me that, I could wake up at 51 years
old just to realize that I spent 30 years pursuing a goal that
does not count the most when my years on earth are over. What
matters most to me? Doesn't it make sense for me to listen deep
into my soul, and to my Creator, and find the purpose for my
life and live it? Bill will find deep satisfaction from, not
only giving his money away, but being personally involved in
the hurting world we live in. He will probably get more chance
to personally review some of the dire cases that come to Bill
and Melinda foundation regularly. There is something that happens
to a man when he gets a chance to not only see such problems
first hand, but also has the ability to truly relieve the sufferers
of their pain. No money can buy that.
Bill Gates is committed to living out his purpose. Am I committed
to mine?
If any of these writings bless you, feel free to post
a comment or share a testimony with us. Others may be blessed
by your testimony or comment. And feel free to contact us anytime.
Our genuine desire is to assist you in your search for meaning
and joy.
Visit DiscoverPurpose
blog for more.
|
