I’m sure we have now all been within the position where we have now asked, “What’s the purpose?” in response to at least one thing or one other. Whether we have now been elbow-deep in dishwater clearing away one other set of dishes or ankle-deep in toys, the purpose of life threatens to allude us at times. Maybe while attending one other meeting about something that might have been an email or tending to a different of life’s issues, we may wonder, ‘What is the purpose of life?’ We have all been there.
The tendency to query our existence will not be only prelevant within the midst of the humdrum of life but additionally when the winds of life are hard to face straight in, and the bottom feels as if it’s literally shaking below our feet. We know God to be the rock on which we stand; we all know Him to be good and merciful, but the fact of our humanity still exists. Knowledge doesn’t at all times translate to wisdom, and we don’t at all times understand. Thankfully, we as believers will not be left alone to struggle and strife to search out out the reply to this big query. God gave us a lovely instruction book to assist us navigate life’s questions.
What does the Bible say is the purpose of our lives?
One book that may help us evaluate life and its point is Ecclesiastes. Scholars are likely to conclude that the author of this book is King Solomon due to the recurring themes from other works he penned. Some consider it to be him, and others think it’s one other descendant of David who has Solomon’s considering. The author begins in chapter one by saying:
“I actually have seen every little thing done on this world, and I let you know, it’s all useless. It is like chasing the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 1:14
This verse unveils a vital piece of data. This teacher is well-cultured for the time during which it was written, yet declares that each one things are useless, just like the chasing of the wind. The word for useless on this verse is hevel, which in Hebrew means vapor or smoke, and is used 38 times on this book. The author is attempting to convey to us that life is temporary and even fleeting. And in some ways, while it seems solid, it’s like smoke and withers away. Life, to this writer, is just an enigma or a paradox.
The Book of Ecclesiastes looks in any respect the ways humans, by our very nature, try to construct meaning and purpose for ourselves away from God. The result is similar every time: all of it’s meaningless or hevel – without God. Everything we construct except for him has no lasting meaning.
The reality is, as Ecclesiastes illustrates, at the same time as time wears on, nothing ever changes; nothing is latest under the sun, and eventually, time will erase us. It also shows us that death is the good equalizer of humanity, for it engulfs the sensible, the idiot, and the wealthy and the poor. Death is a guarantee on this life, and none of us are exempt from facing its peril. Chapter 2, verse 16, goes on to state, “Like the idiot, the sensible too must die!”
Even wisdom and fear of the Lord, as Solomon teaches in Song of Songs, have benefits on this life. But they don’t guarantee us an excellent life. Unfortunately, the sin-sick world we live in still taints all that we all know and see.
How can we discover purpose in or some extent to life?
Well, friend, this book doesn’t only tell us what things are empty or meaningless, but it surely also tells us concerning the essential things on this life—the things we should always hold on to with a good grip and embrace. Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes tells us that God gifts us, stating,
“That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—that is the gift of God.”
According to verse 14, the gift of God is the satisfaction present in the toil of this life. The point of this life is to enjoy and accept the hevel, or the meaninglessness of the things that occur. The truth is, friend, every little thing is out of our control. Just because the sun rises within the morning, we cannot make it come up quicker or slower, just because the waves come and go as God tells them, so things on this life happen. The gift of God is the easy enjoyment of the great things in life: family and friends, a BBQ, sunny days on the beach, and wintery days curled up with our youngsters.
The point of this life is found I think within the Westminster Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and revel in him perpetually.” Friend, the purpose of this life will not be to search out ways to do it on our own but to search out God. The point of this life will not be to run at it and find joy in all of the fallacious places but to decelerate and find joy in the easy places, loving as Jesus would love and serving as Jesus would serve. Being an individual of thankfulness and gratitude. 1 Corinthians says this beautifully in chapter 10, verse 31;
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Reader, whatever you do today, may you already know the glory of God in it because your hand is doing all that it does for the Father. It is simple to get sidetracked and take heed to the devil whisper that we have now no purpose or point on this life, but believers do. We have the enjoyment of seeing others come to know Jesus, the enjoyment of sharing Jesus with others, and the enjoyment of seeing our friends, family, and churches worship Him and serve Him in all they do. It is simply after we decelerate in a automobile that we are able to see all that’s around us. The same is true on this life. It is simply after we decelerate that we are able to appreciate the small things. I don’t consider God is simply the God of the large things. I think He is equally present in the small moments as we love one another.
Today, for me, a few of those things I slowed all the way down to savor were a homemade cup of juice from a mud kitchen affected by grass and weeds with my 5-year-old. The big bear hug from my pre-teen as she got home from school. The warm mug of tea made with love by my teen, you already know, those that heat your soul. The smells of home cooking, knowing my family will eat a delicious meal provided by Jesus. And the beautiful feeling of warm hands in mine as my husband comes home from a tough day’s work. We miss a lot on this life by rushing through it. We miss so most of the really good moments.
But what if the purpose of this life is to be savored with one another and shared with Jesus?
I hope you already know the Savior and that you may share your life with Him, too. But in the event you don’t, please get in contact, speak to a different Christian, or contact someone at Christianity.com. We would like to introduce you to the best person we all know, Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Father, Thank You for illuminating the meaning, purpose, and point of life here today. Ignite in us a desire to hunt more of You in Your Word, God, through Christ Jesus. Help us to know who You are and Your uncomparable love for us. We need to live our lives the best way You designed; each of us was created uniquely and given a particular purpose. Oh, Lord, help us to see ourselves and others the best way You see us and embrace gratitude for the life You have given us to live …to the complete.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Frank McKenna
