The Meaning of Life
Alice Cheung
What’s the meaning of life? This question is related to the purpose and value of life. If a true meaning does exist, there must be an ultimate “meaning provider”. Unless there is a supreme God who has created and bestowed on us the purpose of life, we can’t find the meaning of life.
Desire to Pursue Meaning
On one hand, man sees himself as a product of a long process of evolution within this vast universe. On the other hand, he earnestly seeks the meaning of existence. Viktor E. Frankl, a famous psychologist and a survivor of Holocaust, has written about man’s concerns in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning: “Man’s main concern is not seeking pleasures or avoiding pain but gaining the meaning of life.” Meaning empowers us to fight life’s battles, even to the point of life and death.
Appreciation of God’s Creation
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. (Psalms 104:14-15)
The earth is filled with rich resources that provide for our physical as well as our aesthetic needs. Praise God! One of the meanings of life is to enjoy life by appreciating God’s creation.
Pursuit of Virtue & Mission
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
There’s more we can pursue in life. How about knowledge, art, morality, and charity? We can definitely get involved with the mission of caring for our neighbors and managing the earth through creative activities, caring actions, mission tasks, or playing a professional role in the society.
Live Life to the Fullest
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
The richness in Christ doesn’t mean a life of carefree fairytale which enables you to do whatever you want. On the contrary, it means to be able to find the meaning of life. When you face suffering or trauma, religion means more to you because you will experience the presence of the One above. What will empower you to turn your weakness into strength and a crisis into a chance? That’s the promise of Father God, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and encouragement of the love of Christ.
Doing the Will of God, Lasting Meaning
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)
The world is under the influence of the devil and is full of sins such as lies, arrogance, deceit, strife, arrogance, fornication, feasting, greed, and idolatry. Christians should aim to do the Will of God, leading a life of difference. What really lasts is the way we live our lives and serve God. Only God can fill the emptiness of the soul, not material, wealth, relationships, or pleasure. There’s nothing more meaningful than the mission of sharing the gospel of reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Author’s credentials: Bachelor at Overseas Theological Seminary, Master of Pastoral Counseling at Chinese Mission Seminary, Former minister at Hong Kong Christ Evangelical Church and Hiulai Church
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