How To Build A Meaningful Life?
Feeling Lost? Discover The Meaning of Life.
You will always feel lost until you discover the meaning of life. Understanding life’s meaning secures, guides, and roots us in the real purpose we are here. As a child and teen, I found myself lost in a world and life without meaning. I searched for meaning in many ways and could not seem to find it. I followed the rules, bent the rules, and broke the rules but life remained without meaning. It isn’t as though I didn’t have excitement, fun, and great times, I did, but the meaning of life remained a mystery. I knew the standard drill: school, work, marriage, family, grandchildren, retirement, and then the grave. Is that it? Is that life? Grow old and die? There had to be more. Why was I born? Why am I here? What is my purpose?
One of the wealthiest and wisest men to have lived, King Solomon, spent his life searching for the meaning of life. In Ecclesiastics, Solomon shares his lifelong quest of searching for life’s meaning. Being one of the wealthiest Kings he denies himself no pleasure and acquires more material goods and wealth than any other King before him. Wine, women, song, gold, silver, vast amounts of land, enormous wealth, power, and prestige are all discovered to be empty, vain, meaningless pursuits. None of them revealed the meaning of life and left Solomon feeling empty.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecc. 1:2)
The Hebrew word “hebel” translated as “vanity” in the KJV and as “meaningless” in the NIV carries the sense of emptiness or meaninglessness. All of Solomon’s accomplishments were like a vapor or puff of smoke that last momentarily and then disappears. While Solomon experienced great joy in these things he knew that just as the poor man knows that in the end, he would return to dust—death. He concluded that the meaning of life was not in any of these earthly pursuits that he had mastered.
Solomon ultimately concludes life is meaningless without God in your life. Nothing in this life imparts meaning to life except God. Knowing God, following his truth, and doing what God says is right produces a meaningful life. Wealth and accomplishments do not hold life’s meaning or purpose. The only real meaning will be your relationship with God while you were passing through this short life. The wealthy and the poor alike are all destined to death and the grave. All will face God’s judgment.
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecc. 12:13-14)
In the New Testament Jesus gives us a similar message about life’s meaning by calling for all to repent, turn to him and receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. In doing so the meaning of life is revealed in a person, Jesus. When Christ comes to live inside of you the meaning of life becomes clear. As you grow in your relationship with God and realize He is your righteousness and that you are complete in Him the experience of Christ in you becomes a glorious meaningful life. We were created to be the temple of God where he lives in our hearts and leads and guides us as only the great Shepherd can do. The apostle Paul asked, “Do you not know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1 Cor 6:9). The great mystery of life’s meaning is found in Christ.
The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:26-27)
Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless without Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. He is our life, peace, joy, strength, and righteousness. Just ask any born-again believer who follows Christ. What is the meaning of life? Jesus!
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
