Thursday, May 24
Life….what does it all mean? Some live several decades on the earth with no purpose or meaning in mind other than providing enough money to have a roof, a bed, and a meal on the table. Others live for a pay check to give to a slot machine in small increments nightly. And, still others are “ever seeking but never finding” meaning or purpose in anything or anyone. Relationships are shallow. Marriages are serial. Focus is sensual. Fulfillment is negligible.
The meaning for life is not found “out there” somewhere. It is found in Jesus Christ and His power to transform life and give one a global focus that is Biblically based and Holy Spirit directed.
Some years ago, a study was done among teenagers in Sweden, who were asked to respond to the statement, "I think the following could give my life more meaning..." Of those surveyed, eighty-seven percent thought that meaning could be found in a good job, eighty-five percent thought it could be found in a marriage partner, and eighty-four percent thought it could be found in sports and recreation. Only fifteen percent thought that reading the Bible and prayer could help, and another fifteen percent indicated that they thought alcohol could help.
About eight percent considered the question of the meaning of life important, yet eighty percent considered it unimportant whether Jesus existed as a man on earth or not. Also, eighty-five percent considered it unimportant whether Jesus is the Son of God or not. A full seventy-five percent concluded that the question of God's existence is unimportant. (copied…..).
Jesus promised to give us life in all its fullness….I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). In order to have the “fullness” and rich meaning and purpose in daily living, one learns that God’s Word is a blueprint for living life to the utmost. The Bible was given by the Creator of life to explain how it works. When we throw away the manual and try on our own, we may have some of the enjoyment but only those who read and live by “the manual” understand all of the nuances and effectiveness of life’s entirety.
Life’s meaning is found in loving relationships with God and man. Jesus was asked by religious leaders in His day, the most important commandment. Jesus answered it in this way, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27). Paul added, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13-14).
How would you rate your life in this present time? Fulfilling or failing? Rich or rudimentary? Abundant or awful? If you are not living in God’s will and in His enriching grace, you need to discover for yourself, John 14:6 where Jesus made it clear what you need, “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me.” Now would be a good time to discover real living, real meaning, and real purpose. Discover Jesus! He has been waiting on you to come to Him!
