The Measure of Our Creation

Among the most fundamental of all questions is, ‘What is the purpose of life?’  Of course in asking this what we probably mean is, ‘What is the purpose of my life?  Am I fulfilling my destiny?  Am I on track?  Am I in charge of where I am going or want to go or am I being acted upon by outside agencies and circumstances? 

The answer is complex, at least for people, and I will not attempt to go there today. 

 

But I would like to take a look at how our behavior impacts the lives of other ‘life’ around us; whether what we do affects the ‘measure of their creation.’ 

Over forty years ago I put up my rifle and shotgun and chose to no longer be a hunter.  I reflected upon the animals I had killed and thought, ‘Did I have a right to take their lives just for sport—just to amuse me?  The clarion answer that came to me was ‘No.’  But why?

As I have enjoyed my pets (and they me) and learned more about the social behavior of animals from colonies of ants, to the migration of whales, to the bonding of fowl to their mates or first life attachments whether of their own biological mothers or other surrogates, to the school grouping of dolphins, or lion prides,  or elephant or crow families, I am convinced that to a lesser or greater extent many of the upper species do have feelings, do create attachments, and that we, as humans, have a stewardship to take care of the living things of this earth.  We share this planet for the purpose of fulfilling the measure of our creation just as they do.  And in my experience, when people do take care of animals they find it to be a great pleasure. 

We are not to kill, hurt, or make afraid just for our amusement.  All life is not of equal value but all does have value; there is a hierarchy.  Human life is at the pinnacle and we must respect it and protect it and facilitate it to the extent of our ability.  Except for terrorists and suicide bombers and their handlers I think most do.

The higher mammals, I suspect come next, and that is the reason why we can connect with them so easily.  I do not know the precise order that follows but I am convinced that each has value and should be protected in turn.  There is, undisputedly, a web-of-life that God has placed upon this earth to contribute to the life of God’s greatest creation, man, but the lower forms of life, I suspect, are an end in themselves as well. 

I guess the immediate question is, ‘Am I living the Christian “golden rule” with respect to all forms of life within the sphere of my influence or reasonable control?’  The Eastern Religion Jainism (related to Hinduism), likewise, has as a central doctrine ‘Ahimsa’ or respect for life that we could do well to consider if not emulate sans its extremes. Its emphasis on being in harmony with nature has much to recommend it.  

May we all live and let live so that all can ‘Meet the measure of its creation’ and have joy.