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On September 17th 1960,
while campaigning
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for the presidency, a young
senator from Massachusetts
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stood before an adoring
audience at the Coliseum
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in Raleigh,
North Carolina.
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He articulated his vision
for what the nation
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could accomplish under
his leadership.
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With a short, but simple
and eminently memorable
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phrase, John F Kennedy
unknowingly described
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one of the greatest
shortcomings
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of our current generation.
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In his speech, he
extolls the courage
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and determination required to
bring the United States
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through the
second world war.
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Kennedy then observes:
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The symptoms of a society
without purpose and direction
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are evident
all around us.
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Lack of meaning in life is
a scourge which is tearing
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through the Western World
leaving broken families,
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crushed communities and
lost lives in its wake.
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The plain truth is that
people thrive
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when they have purpose;
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that life itself is not absent meaning.
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Join me for this edition
of Tomorrow's World
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as we explore man's
need for purpose.
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What drives you to get out
of bed in the morning?
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It's a simple enough
question,
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but is it one you've paused to consider?
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Do you get out of bed just
because it's a habit to do so,
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or do you wake with a
purpose
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to carry out each and every day?
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Darwinian evolution
describes the act of survival
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as the
driving force in life.
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Are you merely trying to
survive, or do you see purpose
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in your life
beyond survival?
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Statistics can be
fascinating tools,
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but they often they present
an incomplete picture.
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Many of the leading
indicators of quality of life
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present a paradox during what can only be described
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as the greatest
sustained period of wealth,
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peace and prosperity the world has ever seen.
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Let's set aside for a moment, our own personal accounts,
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perhaps you've
lived through war
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or suffered significant
poverty.
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I'm not trying to say that those elements don't still exist.
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However, the amount of
people plagued
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by them is significantly less.
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If you could live in any
period of time,
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it would be difficult to come up
with a better one than today.
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Sure, if you were in a
position of power the 1500s
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may have been grand, but it wasn't for the vast majority.
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We've eradicated numerous
diseases, the infant mortality
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rate has fallen
significantly; there is no time
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period with greater
access to healthcare.
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Few people ever journeyed
outside their town
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and now travel is widespread.
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When is the last time
you had to go hunt your dinner?
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I appreciate that some
viewers may do so by choice,
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but it's not likely that they do it for every meal.
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What about washing
machines, cars and smart phones?
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If you want a picture of
how much the world
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has changed since the
1600s listen to this:
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Not that we should be
competing to impress people,
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but when is the
last time you rented
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a pineapple for
a dinner party?
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The point is this: in many
ways, we have it good.
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Good isn't even a strong
enough term for it.
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In respect to the advantages that we have on our side,
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there is no comparison with past generations.
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And yet, for all that we
have,
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something is clearly missing.
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I mentioned that statistics presents us with a paradox.
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It is this: in the
greatest time to be alive,
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depression and suicide
have skyrocketed.
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Why have so many thrown
away their lives with drug
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addiction, particularly during the current opioid crisis?
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On today's program I'm
going to show the results
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of losing purpose.
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I'm going to prove to you
that mankind
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can have all of the advantages
imaginable, and yet,
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if you don't have a reason
to get out of bed
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in the morning than no advantage
will make up for it.
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Before we really dive into
this, I want to let you know
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00:04:24,938 --> 00:04:26,730
about the free
booklet we'll be offering
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throughout the program.
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"What Happens
When You Die?"
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This controversial
subject is paramount
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when discussing our
purpose in life.
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The opioid crisis, the
rise in substance abuse
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of any kind and the
staggering increase
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in suicide rate are just a
few of the indicators
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that something in our society
has gone horribly wrong.
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Take this statement
published in the New York Time
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including a question
which begs an answer:
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Reacting to the increased
suicide rate reported
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by the CDC, Dr. Diane Dreher
described the problem:
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It should not come as a
surprise that the increase
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in addiction is being
linked to the same cause.
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Purpose and meaning are
essential
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to our basic will to live.
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When one does not have
something to strive for,
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something to work towards,
some reason to get out of bed
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in the morning, than escapism becomes attractive.
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Something to numb the pain,
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to take away that feeling of
meaninglessness.
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It is a dark path and one
has to wonder how society
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will regain control
of the crisis.
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ScienceDaily
confirms that:
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The problem is there
for all to see.
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The solution is
much more difficult.
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How can you help a society
that seemingly has everything,
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but has no
purpose or sense of direction?
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If you struggle with
finding and focusing
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on meaning in your life, how
can you avoid some
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of the potential negative
outcomes we've examined,
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and where can you find
or revive your sense of purpose?
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In answering these
questions,
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it can help to have a little perspective.
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Death is something
we've all considered.
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Is it the end, or is
there something beyond.
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Can you find a purpose
better and beyond
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your current physical life?
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Richard Ames has been a
long-time presenter
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on Tomorrow's World, and has
written several of the books
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offered
on the program.
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His latest work:
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"What
Happens When You Die?"
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answers some of the most
important questions
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you could ever face.
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We have a copy waiting for
you, free of charge,
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just call and let us know
how to get it to you.
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Welcome back.
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We have been looking at
the repercussions
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of losing meaning and
purpose in life.
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They are undeniable
and they are grave.
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But we also have to ask
the question
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of why an increasing number of
people feel
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that they don't have meaning
in their lives.
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We already reminded ourselves some of the many advantages
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to the
time we are living in.
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These advantages also
spread to purpose.
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In many ways it has never
been easier to pursue a dream.
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Previous generations were
often taught a trade
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by their parents and continued in the family business.
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Now, if someone identifies
a passion, there are many
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avenues that can be
followed in pursuit of it.
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There have never been
greater social safety nets
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allowing individuals to
take risks
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in pursuing their dreams.
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And yet, here we are,
with mankind
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faced with a crisis of meaning.
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We could spend an entire
series of programs
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asking why we are in such a
crisis, but our focus
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today is on understanding
the importance of purpose
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as well offering a solution to aid in finding purpose.
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But I do want to identify 3 reasons
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why we are facing this
current crisis.
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Keep in mind that many
of these are cyclical problems,
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which then feed
into themselves growing
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ever more dangerous.
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The first reason we face
a crisis of meaning is:
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1. The Rise of Materialism
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Comedian George Carlin
cleverly identified
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how collecting stuff has
replaced meaning for many:
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As people try to find
meaning in "stuff"
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many discover that they simply
can't keep up,
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or if they do gain all the "stuff"
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that it doesn't make them feel the way the thought it would.
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This rise of materialism
is having a significantly
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destructive effect.
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The second reason we face
a crisis of meaning is:
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2. The Breakdown of Families
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Historically, many have
found meaning in providing
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for their family.
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In striving to prepare
their children for adulthood
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and in growing
together as a unit.
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Not everyone has had
this opportunity.
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But nowadays, finding
someone who is part of a stable
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family unit is
increasingly difficult.
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Family can provide a
support network
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for when one is struggling
with meaning.
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While we live in a society
where communication
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and the ability to stay
connected has never been easier,
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there has also
never been as many people
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who feel alone.
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Those who have physical
families are not immune to this.
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This is not to say that
family is the ultimate
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meaning or
purpose in life.
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However, when families
break down,
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it can contribute to depression
and feelings of meaninglessness.
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The third reason we face
of crisis of meaning is:
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3. Decline of Belief in God
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For millennia, mankind
has derived meaning
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from asking the question
"Why are we here?"
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If we were not created,
than we could not have been
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created
for a purpose.
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This presents a problem.
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You'll notice that the
plagues we spoke
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of in the first portion of today's program,
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primarily substance abuse and
suicide are not exclusive
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00:11:28,542 --> 00:11:30,416
problems to atheists.
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While belief in God has
declined, what is perhaps
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00:11:33,082 --> 00:11:36,041
just as startling is that
for many, belief in God
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has become nothing more
than a statement
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that is barely given a thought let alone something
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that could be described as a
purpose in life.
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Real belief in God more
than anything,
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has been able to provide meaning
for individuals despite
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00:11:50,250 --> 00:11:53,457
them living in
unimaginable circumstance.
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00:11:53,458 --> 00:11:55,916
Ara Norenzayan, a social
psychologist
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00:11:55,917 --> 00:11:59,917
at the University of British
Columbia was quoted by the BBC:
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00:12:15,375 --> 00:12:18,249
This trifecta of the rise
in materialism,
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breakdown of families and decline in belief in God
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has worked alongside other factors to create
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this crisis of meaning mankind's facing.
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While we've looked at the
negative side effects
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of a lack of meaning, lets
also examine the positive
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benefits one gets from
having a sense of purpose.
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While the Declaration of
Independence highlighted
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"life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness"
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as examples of
unalienable rights.
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Recent studies show that
it may have been better
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to offer "life, liberty and
the pursuit of meaning."
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The national center for
biotechnology information
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published a study which
highlights the impact
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meaning has on the
quality of one's life.
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Those who wake up each
morning with a reason
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to get out of bed, tend to
live more successful lives.
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Kennedy's words in North
Carolina were written
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more than 60 years ago, but
have never been more pertinent.
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Effort and courage are
evident all around us.
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But without direction and
purpose, they fall flat.
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Mankind is in a dire
need of an injection of meaning.
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This certainly applies
to our everyday lives.
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00:14:14,250 --> 00:14:16,499
However, our ultimate
purpose is something
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that we cannot decide
for ourselves.
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If there is a God, and He
Created us for a reason,
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is the true purpose of
man not to fulfill
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that purpose?
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This is a question whose
repercussions extend
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00:14:28,082 --> 00:14:31,082
far beyond our present lives
and demands an answer
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00:14:31,083 --> 00:14:34,124
to the questions "What
Happens When You Die?"
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00:14:34,125 --> 00:14:36,791
If you want to explore the
reason you were Created,
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00:14:36,792 --> 00:14:39,081
and how God intends to
work with you to fulfill
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00:14:39,082 --> 00:14:44,631
that purpose, than call
now and receive your free copy.
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00:14:51,909 --> 00:14:53,158
Welcome back.
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00:14:53,159 --> 00:14:55,573
Today's world is
overflowing with conveniences
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00:14:55,574 --> 00:14:56,949
that - at
least on paper -
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should result in a time of
unprecedented happiness,
249
00:15:00,076 --> 00:15:03,573
reduced stress and
genuine fulfillment.
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00:15:03,574 --> 00:15:05,325
However something
is missing.
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00:15:05,326 --> 00:15:08,033
Our society is in the
midst of an opioid crisis.
252
00:15:08,034 --> 00:15:10,573
Substance abuse and
suicide are out of control.
253
00:15:10,574 --> 00:15:13,325
There have also been sharp
increases in the number
254
00:15:13,326 --> 00:15:17,033
of people struggling with
depression and anxiety.
255
00:15:17,034 --> 00:15:18,741
These are not merely
issues that have always
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00:15:18,742 --> 00:15:21,741
been with us but are just
now being talked about.
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00:15:21,742 --> 00:15:23,783
Something is wrong.
258
00:15:23,784 --> 00:15:27,949
We bear the symptoms of a
society devoid of purpose.
259
00:15:27,950 --> 00:15:30,573
This paradox is summed
up nicely by the great
260
00:15:30,574 --> 00:15:34,242
Russian author,
Feyodor Dostoevsky:
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00:15:42,534 --> 00:15:44,616
What do you live for?
262
00:15:44,617 --> 00:15:46,573
Ultimately, this is the
same as the question
263
00:15:46,574 --> 00:15:48,241
I asked earlier in the
program,
264
00:15:48,242 --> 00:15:50,573
"Why do you get out of bed in
the morning?"
265
00:15:50,574 --> 00:15:52,991
Is it to provide and
care for your family?
266
00:15:52,992 --> 00:15:54,741
To enrich the lives of
those around you,
267
00:15:54,742 --> 00:15:56,616
or to better society?
268
00:15:56,617 --> 00:15:59,573
Is it to become famous,
wealthy or successful -
269
00:15:59,574 --> 00:16:01,616
however you may
define success?
270
00:16:01,617 --> 00:16:04,366
The harsh reality is that,
while these purposes
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00:16:04,367 --> 00:16:07,283
are far better than trying to
get by without a purpose
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00:16:07,284 --> 00:16:10,574
success in this life is
difficult to obtain,
273
00:16:10,575 --> 00:16:15,325
is fickle, and all
too often fleeting.
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00:16:15,326 --> 00:16:17,573
Whatever we may choose to
be the purpose of our life
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00:16:17,574 --> 00:16:20,657
is truly only secondary if
you believe mankind
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00:16:20,658 --> 00:16:24,824
to be the creation of an
all-powerful, all-loving God.
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00:16:24,825 --> 00:16:26,657
The real question we
must ask is:
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00:16:26,658 --> 00:16:29,949
What is His purpose for mankind as a whole -
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00:16:29,950 --> 00:16:32,158
and for me specifically.
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00:16:32,159 --> 00:16:34,533
The 8th Psalm records
David contemplating
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00:16:34,534 --> 00:16:36,493
his own purpose.
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00:16:47,617 --> 00:16:50,573
He looked up and asked,
"If you created the entire
283
00:16:50,574 --> 00:16:53,200
universe, why are you
concerned with mankind
284
00:16:53,201 --> 00:16:54,573
as a whole.
285
00:16:54,574 --> 00:16:57,241
Why are you
concerned with me?"
286
00:16:57,242 --> 00:17:00,949
The reality is that God is
concerned with mankind -
287
00:17:00,950 --> 00:17:02,075
not just as some sort
of hobby,
288
00:17:02,076 --> 00:17:05,573
but with a definitive and
measurable purpose!
289
00:17:05,574 --> 00:17:08,783
The question remains:
what is that purpose?
290
00:17:08,784 --> 00:17:10,573
Sometimes this question is
brushed off,
291
00:17:10,574 --> 00:17:13,241
that God has a purpose beyond our understanding,
292
00:17:13,242 --> 00:17:15,200
that "the Lord works in mysterious ways"
293
00:17:15,201 --> 00:17:18,033
and who are we to try and understand.
294
00:17:18,034 --> 00:17:20,325
Now, there is some truth,
we cannot ascertain
295
00:17:20,326 --> 00:17:22,824
God's purpose in each and
every event that occurs.
296
00:17:22,825 --> 00:17:28,492
But He does reveal His
ultimate purpose for man.
297
00:17:28,493 --> 00:17:31,033
One aspect of life that
does cause some to question
298
00:17:31,034 --> 00:17:33,408
God's purpose is
that from time to time,
299
00:17:33,409 --> 00:17:36,158
car accidents, disease,
or any number of other
300
00:17:36,159 --> 00:17:40,116
unfortunate events can
occur and claim a life.
301
00:17:40,117 --> 00:17:43,492
It can be easy to wonder how they can fulfill God's purpose,
302
00:17:43,493 --> 00:17:45,699
or what God's
purpose was for them.
303
00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:49,366
Some rashly judge those
who are affected by tragedy,
304
00:17:49,367 --> 00:17:53,159
Jesus addresses
this issue specifically:
305
00:18:20,909 --> 00:18:23,574
He is stating first of all
that we must not rush
306
00:18:23,575 --> 00:18:26,075
to judgment when
tragedy strikes.
307
00:18:26,076 --> 00:18:28,908
Secondly, that we should
look in the mirror and ask
308
00:18:28,909 --> 00:18:31,824
ourselves if we are living
up to God's standards,
309
00:18:31,825 --> 00:18:35,616
seeking to rectify those
areas where we fall short.
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00:18:35,617 --> 00:18:40,493
But in that context
He gives an important parable:
311
00:19:11,034 --> 00:19:14,366
He is stating that even
tragedy will not prevent
312
00:19:14,367 --> 00:19:17,033
Him from working with
every single individual,
313
00:19:17,034 --> 00:19:20,866
giving them an opportunity
to live up to their purpose.
314
00:19:20,867 --> 00:19:23,574
He wants the opportunity
to work with every man,
315
00:19:23,575 --> 00:19:25,949
woman and child
who has ever lived.
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00:19:25,950 --> 00:19:29,573
And He will not be
denied this opportunity.
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00:19:29,574 --> 00:19:31,657
How badly does God want to
see you live
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00:19:31,658 --> 00:19:33,492
up to your potential,
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00:19:33,493 --> 00:19:36,573
to achieve the purpose for which you were created?
320
00:19:36,574 --> 00:19:40,033
John 3:16 is often called
the golden verse,
321
00:19:40,034 --> 00:19:41,658
it answers this
question for us:
322
00:19:55,076 --> 00:19:57,574
I'd like to read a quote
now from today's featured offer:
323
00:19:57,575 --> 00:19:59,741
"What Happens
When You Die?"
324
00:19:59,742 --> 00:20:02,283
Here Mr. Richard Ames
gives a glimpse of the purpose
325
00:20:02,284 --> 00:20:04,200
for which
man was created.
326
00:20:04,201 --> 00:20:06,657
If you haven't already
done so, I hope you do take
327
00:20:06,658 --> 00:20:11,076
the opportunity to
call and receive your free copy.
328
00:20:35,867 --> 00:20:38,741
Continuing in 1
Corinthians 2, after verse 9
329
00:20:38,742 --> 00:20:41,573
which was quoted by Mr.
Ames, Paul reveals
330
00:20:41,574 --> 00:20:43,451
how this information
can be discerned.
331
00:21:04,117 --> 00:21:06,824
God provides us with the
reality of His glorious
332
00:21:06,825 --> 00:21:13,116
purpose for mankind in His
inspired Word-the Bible.
333
00:21:13,117 --> 00:21:15,325
This information comes
with the responsibility
334
00:21:15,326 --> 00:21:16,908
to follow through on it.
335
00:21:16,909 --> 00:21:18,573
I hope you'll take us up
on our offer
336
00:21:18,574 --> 00:21:20,241
for today's free booklet:
337
00:21:20,242 --> 00:21:22,033
"What Happens When You Die?"
338
00:21:22,034 --> 00:21:24,783
While the book focuses on
death and what come after,
339
00:21:24,784 --> 00:21:26,824
it is vital to understand
that the life
340
00:21:26,825 --> 00:21:30,408
you have been given now is not
one without purpose.
341
00:21:30,409 --> 00:21:32,908
It is building towards
something grand.
342
00:21:32,909 --> 00:21:35,573
Knowing God's purpose for
you can be a life altering
343
00:21:35,574 --> 00:21:37,573
experience for the better.
344
00:21:37,574 --> 00:21:39,366
Here at Tomorrow's World
we don't shy away
345
00:21:39,367 --> 00:21:42,573
from life's big questions, and
this booklet tackles
346
00:21:42,574 --> 00:21:43,451
a multitude of them.
347
00:21:45,534 --> 00:21:47,783
Whatever your situation in
life, I hope that you come
348
00:21:47,784 --> 00:21:50,573
to recognize that mankind
has been created
349
00:21:50,574 --> 00:21:53,573
to need purpose beyond
mere survival.
350
00:21:53,574 --> 00:21:55,573
I promise you that any
worthwhile purpose
351
00:21:55,574 --> 00:21:57,991
will require you to tackle
that purpose
352
00:21:57,992 --> 00:21:59,908
with two attributes.
353
00:21:59,909 --> 00:22:04,783
JFK boiled them down to effort, or hard work, and courage.
354
00:22:04,784 --> 00:22:06,574
But those attributes are
nothing
355
00:22:06,575 --> 00:22:10,241
without purpose and direction.
356
00:22:10,242 --> 00:22:12,075
I hope you've found
today's program to be both
357
00:22:12,076 --> 00:22:14,075
uplifting and edifying.
358
00:22:14,076 --> 00:22:15,824
Remember to keep watching
and in a few moments
359
00:22:15,825 --> 00:22:18,573
Stuart Wachowicz will
present TW Answers,
360
00:22:18,574 --> 00:22:21,533
examining the question
of predestination.
361
00:22:21,534 --> 00:22:23,573
And tune in every week
when Gerald Weston,
362
00:22:23,574 --> 00:22:25,866
Stuart Wachowicz and I will
continue to deliver
363
00:22:25,867 --> 00:22:28,700
you the wonderful news
of Tomorrow's World.
364
00:22:31,351 --> 00:22:32,891
To learn more about
today's topic,
365
00:22:32,892 --> 00:22:37,523
visit www.TWCanada.org .
366
00:22:38,328 --> 00:22:41,162
Welcome to Tomorrow's
World Answers.
367
00:22:41,163 --> 00:22:43,537
The subject of
predestination occurs
368
00:22:43,538 --> 00:22:46,537
only five places in the Bible.
369
00:22:46,538 --> 00:22:51,327
The Greek words used are:
proorizo, to predetermine,
370
00:22:51,328 --> 00:22:56,327
decide beforehand, to
foreordain; proginosko,
371
00:22:56,328 --> 00:22:59,327
to have knowledge beforehand
to foreknow,
372
00:22:59,328 --> 00:23:04,079
to predestinate; - and
prognosis, foreknowledge.
373
00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:09,079
What is predestination?
374
00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:11,537
Two of the Scriptures
in question are:
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00:23:11,538 --> 00:23:13,454
Romans 8,
376
00:23:29,832 --> 00:23:30,499
Ephesians 1,
377
00:24:07,185 --> 00:24:09,983
The other three
instances are similar.
378
00:24:10,008 --> 00:24:12,340
Some have looked at these
scriptures
379
00:24:12,341 --> 00:24:16,505
and have concluded that our
future is predetermined.
380
00:24:16,506 --> 00:24:19,881
This however ignores many
other statements in the Bible
381
00:24:19,882 --> 00:24:22,506
that add clarity
to this matter.
382
00:24:22,507 --> 00:24:25,840
There are no verses in the
Bible that say anyone
383
00:24:25,841 --> 00:24:28,506
is predestined to be lost.
384
00:24:28,507 --> 00:24:32,506
But God has predestined that "all" will be given a chance
385
00:24:32,507 --> 00:24:37,048
to be saved-i.e. to
repent and receive God's gift
386
00:24:37,049 --> 00:24:37,756
of eternal life
387
00:24:37,757 --> 00:24:39,173
(John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9).
388
00:24:39,174 --> 00:24:41,631
Christ said He would build
His Church (ekklesia),
389
00:24:41,632 --> 00:24:44,505
the whole body of Christians
scattered throughout the earth
390
00:24:45,976 --> 00:24:49,131
Predestination has to do
with the time
391
00:24:49,156 --> 00:24:52,517
when one is called - now, in
this age, or later.
392
00:24:52,518 --> 00:24:56,642
The key to understanding
this subject is Paul's statement
393
00:24:56,643 --> 00:24:59,682
"whom He predestined, these He also called"
394
00:24:59,683 --> 00:25:00,933
(Romans 8:30).
395
00:25:00,934 --> 00:25:03,892
Each child of God is
called to become a part
396
00:25:03,893 --> 00:25:07,892
of a "Body" (i.e. the church)
and has been added
397
00:25:07,893 --> 00:25:11,142
to that "Body" throughout
the ages.
398
00:25:11,143 --> 00:25:14,601
The New Testament teaches
that only those whom God
399
00:25:14,602 --> 00:25:18,766
calls (have their minds
open to understanding)
400
00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:22,559
will be able to come
to Christ in any age.
401
00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,350
He is simply not calling
all people at the same time.
402
00:25:26,351 --> 00:25:32,475
(John 6:44) The Bible also
teaches that all mankind
403
00:25:32,476 --> 00:25:36,392
who has ever lived, and who have died without that calling,
404
00:25:36,393 --> 00:25:41,067
will be raised to
a physical life over 1000 years
405
00:25:41,092 --> 00:25:43,652
in the future to
have their opportunity
406
00:25:43,677 --> 00:25:46,301
to choose God's way of life.
407
00:25:46,326 --> 00:25:50,203
Truly all mankind is
intended (predestined)
408
00:25:50,228 --> 00:25:53,337
to be called, but each
in his own order.
409
00:26:02,892 --> 00:26:06,056
Every person who has ever
lived or ever will live
410
00:26:06,057 --> 00:26:09,182
is predestined to have a
calling from God,
411
00:26:09,183 --> 00:26:12,390
and to then have the opportunity
to choose to follow
412
00:26:12,391 --> 00:26:14,140
God's way of life.
413
00:26:14,141 --> 00:26:17,972
The time of that calling
is God's decision alone.
414
00:26:17,973 --> 00:26:21,098
The decision of whether or
not to answer that call
415
00:26:21,099 --> 00:26:24,056
lies with each individual.
416
00:26:24,057 --> 00:26:27,474
To submit a question for
the show, email us at
417
00:26:27,475 --> 00:26:30,474
TWAnswers@tomorrowsworld.o rg.
418
00:26:30,475 --> 00:26:33,891
Be sure to watch us online
at TWCanada.org
419
00:26:33,892 --> 00:26:38,599
or by searching Tomorrow's
World Answers on YouTube.