Meaning of Life

Now I have jumped into the deep end of the pool! Philosophers, theologians, scientists, and freshmen plebes have tolled over the meaning of life for millenniums. The phrase, “meaning of life” asks the question: “Why are we here?”

There is a simple, short answer that satisfies most of us, but begs for more of the curious, introspective types. The short but grand answer is simply, God created us and desires to have a relationship with us fulfilling His purpose. But let us go a little further.

The wisest, earthly man to have lived, King Solomon, summed up his words in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Eccles. 12:13 NKJV). In other words, “Summing everything up, give God proper reverence and worship; live by His principles fulfilling His purpose. This is the best we can do in life” (my poor paraphrase of Eccles 12:13).

The non-religious types would scoff at my religious take on the answer to the eternal question about the meaning of life. My question to these would-be philosophers, “In the light of that question, how are you living your life? What are your pursuits? What is your expected end results?

Many people want to believe they are living life like the old Schlitz beer commercial in the 1970s, “Go for the gusto, or don’t go at all!” The trouble with that is when you run out of gusto, what do you do? If you live long enough, you most likely will run out of gusto (whatever that is). Then, what is left?

Most of our usual life pursuits will be a dead-end street in the end. All we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch will eventually be dust, ashes, and/or vapor. No wonder so many people are suffering emotionally. If stuff is our pursuit, then dust will be the result. It has been said, “People borrow money they do not have, to buy things they do not need, to impress people they do not like.”

The same King Solomon quoted above at the end of his treatise, said this at the beginning, “And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. / I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Eccles. 1:13-14 NKJV).

Solomon had all a natural man could desire and the best of the best. He drank from gold cups, lived in lush palaces, had hundreds of the most beautiful women in the world as wives and concubines, and was sought after by the royalty of the world. Yet, when he looked at all he had accumulated and consumed in his life—he said it was all vanity. All the opulence was nothing in importance.

It is important to revisit his words at the end of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Eccles. 12:13 NKJV).

The true meaning of life comes from beyond this world. It is not just enduring this life until we reach Heaven. It is living on this ball of clay with a purpose and a meaning given by God that is eternal and fulfilling. Great satisfaction and peace come from knowing we are part of a Kingdom that supersedes all that there is. We are part of God’s big plan regardless of our role in it.

God blessed Adam and Eve and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28 NKJV). That purpose and command is still valid. It still satisfies the deep longing of the human soul. A purpose given by God is eternally satisfying.

What is the meaning of life? It is not some extravagant plan that requires a PhD in philosophy to grasp or a long journey up a tall mountain to hear the words of a white-bearded sage muttering strange metaphors. It is the giggle of a happy child at play, a sweaty farmer pulling weeds from his garden, a nurse soothing a patient in pain, a mother changing the diaper of her child, a teacher instructing a child to read, a son giving his aged father a pan bath, a traveler sharing his bread with a beggar, and a child of God sharing the good news of Jesus with a lost soul.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NKJV).

Folks, life is not that complicated. We tend to complicate it. We often miss the important for the urgent. The sand is fun to play in, but a sustaining life must be built on the Rock.

If you cannot be happy in a cabin, a mansion will do you no good.
If rice and beans do not make you thankful, will more?
If your vehicle gets you there and back, then bright and shiny will not be much more.
If a conversation with your spouse or a friend does not bless you, then adoring fans will be nothing but fading smoke.
At the end of your life, if the inheritance you leave is more notable than your Christian legacy, you will have squandered your purpose!

--HLW

For a time he had been part of it, one of the small unknown men who take their stand in some remote place, and fight their battle in a quiet way.

--Margaret Craven, from her book, “I Heard The Owl Call My Name”

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt