Meaning and Purpose

Message / Question

hi dr dave, i feel like ive lost all meaning and purpose in life. what is the meaning of life, as a child of the most high God?

Response

The old catechism answer summed it up quite well – “To know God and enjoy him forever”, that is our ultimate purpose. Why? Because God created us that way. If you have a look at Genesis chapter 1 and 2 you see that God creates a beautiful world and puts humanity in it to live and prosper and to have a relationship with him. This was the purpose or meaning of our creation. Men in both the Old and New Testaments sought for and discovered life’s purpose. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, discovered the futility of life when it is lived only for this world and concludes by saying: "Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Ultimate satisfaction comes when we see Him ".... I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness" (Psalm 17:15).

For many Christians, their fulfilment comes from the destination rather than the journey, and whilst that may work for some people, it is less than God wants for us. God wants us to walk in His purpose and find personal fulfilment during the journey as well. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

You noted that you are “a child of the most high God”. There, in that statement, is something great, exciting and full of meaning. You are a child of The King whose Kingdom has come – not just one who’s Kingdom is still pending! If you are bored or unexcited about living in the Kingdom, my guess is that the reality of the Kingdom now is something that you’ve not yet deeply mined. I encourage you to find out more about life in the Kingdom as a now time experience rather than a distant hope

Finding purpose in life is perhaps the greatest human quest. It is a theme in any stage of life, largely because our specific purposes may change – or at least be carried out differently – in different seasons of life. God DOES have plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10), and His plans are never boring or dry. First, He desires that we know Him and that we enjoy Him, but then He wants us to live out our unique role in His Body. Try reading books like “The Heavenly Man” or “When Heaven Invades Earth” and have a talk with someone who you know to be living a Kingdom now experience. Don’t give up or turn off, refresh your relationship and find the satisfaction that He WILL give to you as you genuinely seek Him.