WHAT IS THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF LIFE?

God is the source of life. Nothing can exist in this world without God's intervention. Isaiah 45:12 says, "I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command." God created everything for a purpose. There is a philosophical teaching called Deism that believes that God created the universe, set everything in motion according to nature's laws, and then left it to run on its own. According to Deism, human beings are responsible for finding the meaning of life because God is distant from all His creation. However, Deism is a myth and a false teaching. God created us for a purpose. Isaiah 43:7 says, "Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them." The purpose of our existence is to glorify God. To glorify means to magnify or make something more evident, so that people can see it clearly. To glorify God means to show God's power and beauty through our lives so that those who do not know Him may come to know Him through us. 

God created us for Himself, and when we submit and surrender our lives to Him, we glorify Him. Those who seek to find the meaning of life beyond what God intended it to be will find themselves without meaning and purpose. However, those who understand and live according to God's purpose in life find peace and meaning. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." As we shine God's power and beauty through everything that we do and say, people around us can see God's presence in our lives; as a result, they are drawn to want to know Him. Jesus said these words in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Those who glorify God experience the fullness of life. Living the fullness of life is more than acquiring wealth, status, and power; it is about living a meaningful and purposeful life.   

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What does it mean to glorify God? How can I glorify God today? Does my meaning of life align with God's purpose? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you created me for your glory. Thank you for helping me to understand the meaning and purpose of life. It is not about accumulating wealth, status, and power, but it is about giving glory to your name. Please forgive if I have not been glorifying you. Please continue to change my heart and renew my mind so that I may glorify you in everything that I do and say. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.