Faith | Longevity, prosperity or meaningfulness. Which is most important?
To my grandson’s dismay, I am not much of a “Trekkie” or fan of all things Star Wars.
However, as much as anyone, I am familiar with the “Vulcan Salute” and the accompanying affirmation: “Live long and prosper!” Of course, wouldn’t you know the salute has an emoji now.
Without wandering too far off track, the iconic salute is likely rooted by Spock’s actor, Leonard Nimoy, in the Jewish tradition of blessing with hands representing the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “the letter shin unites a person with Gd” (www.Chabad.org/library).
Over the years, I have wondered how longevity (length of life) and prosperity (gains in life) are related; and to which I will add meaningfulness (quality of life). In one of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s last speeches he admitted that “longevity has its place.” In the Old Testament, “prosperity” gets a LOT of discussion.
Years ago, I observed in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 8 & 9) what I called a morality play, a seven-part drama complete with prologue, three acts, two interludes, and an epilogue. (I can email you the paper if you are interested.) I believe the point of the morality play addresses the stuff of what is meaningful in life: a sense of being, belonging, and behaving that is worthwhile.
When physical and relational life is relatively free of hindrance (illness, injury, neglect, abuse), one’s goals may focus on longevity and prospering. But, when one’s physical or relational life is threatened or ending, those two fade as goals in favor of quality or meaningfulness.
Quality of life varies widely across cultures as to what makes life worth living; some folks requiring more things, others more community, and still others more opportunities. And the gospel play points to our profound human needs for something worthwhile in which to believe, to connect, and to contribute.
Life without meaningfulness is hollow, or shallow, or pointless.
Longevity, prosperity, and meaningfulness. Reflecting deeper, are these three goals mutually exclusive, or mutually possible, or even mutually impactful?
A lot depends on your situation in life including who your parents and ancestors were, where and when you were born, how you were nurtured and taught as you faced your developmental tasks, what opportunities you have or not, what risks you take and mistakes you make, what you gain and lose along the way, and in the Olympic athletic spirit, how you celebrate your victories and grieve your defeats.
Longevity: how long do you want to live?
Prosperity: how well do you want to live?
Meaningfulness: in what ways do you want your life and living to matter?
Of course, what we want and what we get may not be the same thing—they often aren’t. Sometimes only one or two of the three are possible or achieved.
Which is most important?
The Apostle Paul said of faith, hope, and love, the greatest was love. Likewise, of longevity, prosperity, and meaningfulness, I suspect the greatest is meaningfulness. For without meaningfulness, what good are longevity and prosperity?
Timothy J. Ledbetter, DMin, BCC is a retired American Baptist-endorsed professional chaplain and member of Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
