What is the Meaning of Life

Why were you born? What is our purpose? Were we put here to hold down a job, work until retirement and wait to die? What is life really about?

The Bible Gives Us Answers

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals and small animals." So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself, male and female he created them. God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." (Genesis 1:26-28).

God created us in his image and likeness. Essentially this means that we were created to function just like God.

Take a look at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-29.

For the Kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability...Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said to him, Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things... He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents, look, I have gained two more talents besides them. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'.

Then he who had received the one talent came and said... I went and hid your talent in the ground. Look there you have what is yours. But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant... you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

God gave each and everyone of us a talent. He expects us to use our talents to the best of our ability. Through the centuries, there has always been someone who has left their mark. E.g. King David, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, just to name a few. These people will always be remembered for the part they played in history.

On the other hand there are those who have become successful in terms of achieving their dreams and becoming financially successful and think that they have done all that they could do and have settled down to a nice retirement. But in the eyes of God there is no retirement. There is still something you can achieve.

Everyone of us was put on this earth to fulfil a specific purpose. No-one is a mistake. God knew who you were before you were born and has a record of you from birth to now.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. Your workmanship is marvellous - and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Everyday of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:13-16).

If we are to become all that we can be, we need to stay in touch and in tune with our Creator. God gave us life, so to understand life, we need to understand God, and to understand God we must have his Holy Spirit.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. (I Cor. 2:9-12).

Remember God created us in His image and likeness, so for us to be all that we can be we have to remain attached to our source.

You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:3-8).

Once we have the Holy Spirit our lives will be happy and meaningful.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6).

But this can only be accomplished if we believe.

So you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

You can become even greater than Jesus Christ himself.

The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. (John 14:12).

The Choice is Yours

If you choose to live your life for God, the world would be literally at your feet. It is not an easy task, but a truly rewarding one. Do not be afraid. Don't let other people or circumstances prevent you from achieving your goals. Put fear aside and bravely step out into the unknown. Put faith and trust in God and everything will work out for you.

Whatever your choice just remember that you were not put on this earth to simply exist, but to make a difference in the world.