The never-ending experiment… (pt 2)
Building on our understanding of life as a “never ending experiment,” a practical life application that calls us to examine the path we’re on - the path leading us to life or the path leading us to death. This practical life application began with the science fair experiment concept - a concept most of us engaged with in our younger years. This analogy serves as a gateway to point us to the truth.
Just as every science experiment starts with a question, so too does this life experiment. Many of us, at some point, have grappled with the fundamental question: “Who am I?”
As we navigate through life, we absorb a great deal of information, only to find ourselves unlearning much of it as we grow. And with this constant learning and unlearning, our identity fluctuates. It continues to be shaped by the ever-changing information presented in the world we live in. When we ponder on that question or even say the question aloud to ourselves, we instinctively begin to look outward, seeking the answers from the world.
In this context, the world is your independent variable. This includes your environment, culture, friends, experiences, and the many things you encounter. Think about areas like where you live, the books you read, the music you listen to, the movies you watch, the company you keep, the conversations you entertain, the food you eat, how you spend your money, what influences your decisions, and so forth. These are the areas you can control based on the decisions you choose to make.
The dependent variable is your identity. This is what you’ll measure to observe how your identity changes based on the adjustments to the independent variable, the world. What you will discover is that the world has told you who you are. The world has given you labels and roles based on various attributes that influence your views about yourself within the context of social groups, societal norms, and expectations. This constant external input contributes to the fluctuating nature of your identity.
Now, this is widely known information, yet despite this common understanding, many individuals continue to turn to the world to define them, dictate their behavior, and set their life’s standards. Consider this - another paradox - in a world of which the information is always changing, many continue to turn to it for answers about their identity.
Where many of us go wrong is that we’re seeking the wrong source for answers. This worldly source is built on a shaky foundation, plastered with lies to appear as the truth. Its purpose is to block you from seeing the truth through confusion. Deception. Manipulation. This keeps you repeating unhealthy cycles all while feeling stagnant and hopeless. Nevertheless, this cycle of unhealthy conditions only leads to death.
What needs to happen is shifting to the one true source that is built on righteousness and truth. This source is unchanging and has been in place since the beginning. This source is the “bread of life” and the “living water",” leading to an eternal life.
Morgan