“A useless life is an early death” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).
WANTING TO BE USEFUL IS A CRUCIAL PART OF OUR NATURE. We may be easily distracted from that desire — and some folks seem to have suppressed the urge altogether — but still it’s true, we want to feel that we’re of significant use to somebody. Times of enforced idleness, such as periods of illness or disability, are rarely the seasons we remember as the happiest in our lives. “It is a great misfortune to be of use to nobody” (Baltasar Gracián).
Regarding this “misfortune,” however, there is something we need to be aware of: it is never actually the case that we’re “of use to nobody.” We may feel useless sometimes, but that feeling is never entirely consistent with reality. My father, for example, who just celebrated his ninetieth birthday, struggles with occasional feelings of uselessness. Physically, he’s limited in what he can do, and it’s often hard for him to see any real purpose for his continued presence in the world. Yet in truth, he continues to be helpful to others in ways he’s not aware of. If nothing else, his example of steadfastness and good cheer is of great value to all who know him.
It’s an obvious fact, of course, that our usefulness can be diminished by circumstances beyond our control, like old age or physical impairment. But usually, what is reduced is only our preferred and customary ways of being useful. What we need to do is let go of the past and have the humility to switch gears in our service to others. We need to adjust ourselves to new ways of being useful — ways that may be less congenial to us but are no less valuable to others.
There will be few days in this world when we can’t do something that someone needs to have done. We can be helpful if that’s what we want to be, and it’s a marvelous thing to set that as our goal. An even greater goal, however, is to combine usefulness with grace. We can diminish the drabness in our world not only by doing what needs to be done but also by carrying it out in a way that delights and encourages those we serve. Pragmatism and practicality are commendable qualities in their own right, but they’re nothing short of astonishing when they’re clothed with the added quality of grace.
“The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider’s web” (Edwin Way Teale).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
