I’ve heard it said that “there’s a God-shaped hole in all of us”.  Maybe that’s true.  Not sure what shape that might be, but from what I’ve seen after living 38 years–oops, I mean 25 years–on the planet, and talking to lots of people, I’ve found something else to be even more true than the whole “God-hole theory”.

People want answers.

There are 3 questions that every human being wants answers to.  And by the way, you can ask any of these questions in a non-spiritual, non-religious, non-threatening way to anyone.  Of course as with anything, the better acquainted you are with the person, the more natural the conversation will likely go.

1. Where do you think we came from?

This question addresses our origin.  And while most people believe in a “higher power”, few people are sure of who/what he/she/it is.

2. What do you think is the purpose of our lives on earth?

Prediction: Most people will answer with something along the lines of: “To be good to others, to do more good than bad, to be happy, to leave the world a better place, etc.”  All nice things.  No wonder we can agree on them.

3. What do you think happens when you die?

Statistically speaking, most people believe in an afterlife but aren’t confident at all as to the details of what it is, where it is, or how to get in to any generic “heaven” that probably exists.  Again, the majority of people you ask will likely think they’re going to heaven based on their good outweighing their bad.

These are all great questions, aren’t they?  No wonder people want answers.  And I’d submit that the trajectory of our lives hinge on our answers to each of them.  The way we view ourselves, our world, and those around us are hinged on our direct or indirect answers to these questions.

What’s another question you think most/all people want an answer to?