The Question that drives us

Larry Wachowski, one of the directors of the Matrix Trilogy, said of the purpose behind the Matrix films, "We are interested in mythology, theology, and to a lesser extent, higher-level mathematics ... All are ways human beings try to answer bigger questions, as well as the Big Question. If you're going to do epic stories, you should concern yourself with those issues ... We wanted to make people think, engage their minds a bit."

Here we see clearly the intention behind The Matrix films. But what is the Big Question that Wachowski is referring to? William Irwin, author of The Matrix and Philosophy, states that there may be many questions that drive us. But what is the biggest question that drives us as human beings? Wouldn't it be important to identify what this question is and try to find the answer?

Most people have asked themselves, "Why do I exist?," "What is the meaning of life?" or "What is the purpose of my life?"

It would appear that this is the Big Question. But what is the answer? In the Matrix films, "the Question" is... "What is the Matrix?" In the answer to that question the characters find out the truth about their world, their purpose, their destiny, and hope. They find strength in the truth they discover and are able to align themselves with the greatest mission of all time - to assist Neo and to unplug others from the Matrix.

The same is true when we find the answer to the question,"Why do I exist?" When we realize that we are created in God's image (and that everything he created is for us) the way we look at the world, ourselves and our purpose changes. All of a sudden the more we learn about who we are and why we are here the more we discover our destiny and purpose in life. We, too, will naturally want to embark on a journey to unplug others from the illusion and bring them to experience the full reality.

When we discover that our story is intertwined with the Great Story of God what happens thereafter is magical.

Brent Curtis & John Eldredge in The Sacred Romance write, "It is only by leaving home and taking a pilgrimage that we begin to see how our own stories are interwoven with the great Romance God has been telling since before the dawn of time. It is on this pilgrimage that we begin to see that each of us has a part in the cosmic love affair that was created specifically with us in mind. Last, this pilgrimage brings us to the destination, set within all of our hearts, which in some way we have known, longed for, and been haunted by since we were children."