Void of Meaning

  I would like to make a few notes independent of the documentary review.  Addressing this notion of life taking place in a void is something I necessarily must do. This view is untenable from nearly every perspective and is dangerous to the well being of individuals and societies. 

   First let us define the claim. "Life is mysteriously happening. We live and we die. Then there is nothing, no after-life, no meeting your Maker, no judgment, and no final justice. We are just a strange occurrence that emerged on a rock floating through space,  a biological organism that became conscious, experience a string of events we think are real, then we expire and pass back into the void from whence we came. Therefore life is ultimately meaningless. Only what you believe matters, and that only for the time that you believe and or are alive. So make of it what you can before it is all over. "


  No matter who you are, it is more than likely that the first time you hear this world-view it bothers you very much. It creates a sense of emptiness and loss within your being as though something has been stolen from you. There is an initial shock, then the reaction of defense in the form of questions. " Well then how...,  If that's true then... "  The implications are clear enough even to the least thoughtful mind.  

   Now when I first heard this concept,  it was from a science teacher. He did not say it quite so boldly,  nor do I even think he understood that he was saying it. When students from the front row of the class asked the "well then how did it happen" questions,  his response was, " I believe that it was created."  I along with every other countenance I noticed clearly did not buy his answer. After expounding a accident-caused universe in vivid illustration,  an incongruent answer was given in faith terminology. The importance of what happened at that moment was frozen in time and waits to be awakened again for each one who shared it. However, it does not stand alone. These moments stand as monumental edifices overshadowing the landscape of our lives. We can no longer escape their influence. We must choose to ignore them and their inconveniences or we must begin to chisel away at them. Within each one is the heart of human existence and the path to where reality and purpose begins.  


  Now I do not want to write a book here which I very well could do had I the time. I wish to confine my thoughts to a few points to be taken away for keepsake. Our claim has been defined as life taking place within a void. 


(...to be continued)

Climbing Into A Void

  I just watched a documentary about Simon Yates and Joe Simpson titled "Touching the Void."  This is a touching and true to life story telling the nearly miraculous survival of Joe Simpson after climbing an untouched mountain in Peru and breaking his leg upon decent.  Equally told is the story of his climbing mate Simon Yates who shared the triumph of ascent with him,  yet partook of the horror of the descent though from a different perspective.  Nearly above all, the film stands as inspirational almost minimizing the problems we face in ordinary living. However, the path chosen by the two mountaineering daredevils is anything but ordinary. 


  But maybe inspirational is not the highest impression made upon the thoughtful viewer.  I would have to say that beyond the surface of the apparent human triumph,  something much more important was communicated, perhaps confirmed by the title. To see this, you must take note that at the turning point of the film,  something was addressed poignantly and then left to linger in the air for the rest of the narrative. That something is in a few statements regarding the context of human existence, thus I understand the given title of "Touching the Void."  Joe Simpson states as he stands at the threshold of life and death that there is nothing beyond the portal of death. He recalls himself as being raised a devout Roman Catholic, and having rejected God long ago, the thought of God did not enter his mind once as he prepared himself to meet the end. In his own words he then said, " It [the thought of calling out to God for help] never once occurred to me. It meant that I really don't believe. I do believe that when you die you die. There is no afterlife, there is nothing."
 
 To me,  the weight of these statements and their implications were unavoidable. What is being said here is that overarching this rich narrative of victory, suffering, compassion, struggle, and survival is a Void. This is not an uncommon philosophy, but few times is it read to us with such a powerful context. For whatever the reason in doing this, the author and survivor allows his viewers to discount the reality of our Creator having anything to do with his fall and amazing recovery.  I wish to say this with utmost kindness and compassion, not condemnatory, but this is a crime. May be in ignorance,  but nevertheless...


  What I wish to say is that it breaks my heart that this man seems to have missed one of the greatest opportunities in his life to establish a relationship with his Maker.  Whether my heart broken or not is not what matters. We can and do commit crimes against our Creator. The source of those crimes is to deny His existence.  Not once did Joe Simpson lift his eyes to call upon his Maker, Protector, and Deliverer. What amazes me is that he was spared regardless. So we learn the patience and mercy of the Almighty. 


  It is not my purpose here to defend the existence of God, and really that need not be done by any one. ( I have before succumbed, and will again.) If you want to tell your self that your Source just is not there,  then you will have to fight a great many battle's in vain before your senses are sobered once again. 

An amazing story to say the least.  I was inspired despite this saddening element.  What our wounded climber experienced was the cold and desolation of dubbing his Creator a "Void".  


  Joe Simpson's story is not over yet. Perhaps in the days remaining a realization will dawn upon him with the strength of a million suns.