Recently I went on an internet quest to find the meaning of life.
I asked my iPhone what the meaning of life is and Siri answered, “I find it odd that you would ask this of an inanimate object.” I asked again and Siri responded, “All evidence to date suggests it’s chocolate.” Funny.
I Googled “what is the meaning of life” and found a popular blogger who wrote, “I think the meaning of life is whatever meaning we give it—and we can literally give it any meaning that ‘feels right’ to us.”
The same blogger wrote a few paragraphs later; “I think the purpose of life is to discover what makes you happy, and then go do more of it.”
That’s the hedonistic approach to life—the belief that life is all about my personal pleasure. I’m so glad all those who have fought for freedom have not taken that approach. I don’t think they faced death, dismemberment, disability, POW camps, and torture because that was what would make them happy. There is a higher purpose.
Likewise, I’m so thankful that my parents didn’t just care for me whenever it made them happy—I would have become an orphan very quickly!
Isn’t there more to the meaning of life?
As I continued my web search I ran across this quote: “Life has to be given a meaning because of the obvious fact that it has no meaning.” ― Henry Miller
Wow, that’s a depressing thought!
Thankfully my faith in God’s revelation of Truth in the Bible makes me far more optimistic about having a purpose in living.
Before I share my purpose statement, let me help you ask yourself some questions to determine yours:
What basis do I have for believing there is meaning to life?What was I put on this earth to accomplish?Did God create me and if so, why?What does and should bring me satisfaction?How could my life bring joy to God and the people around me?Is life on earth all there is, or is there life after life?
If these questions stump you, I strongly encourage you to read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (or listen to it as an audio book).
Or, for a quick answer click HERE.
God promises; “For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 MKJV)
Years ago I came up with this life purpose statement: “My Life Purpose is to know God and glorify Him, to win and disciple others for Christ, taking as many with me to heaven as I can.”
So that’s it: my life purpose in a sentence.
Once you have determined your life purpose, I strongly recommend you take a next step and list your values. For some help to do so, read my article HERE.
Questions: What’s your life purpose (and does it involve chocolate)? What do you think of mine? Leave a comment below.