The Meaning of Life - May 8

Should it surprise you my dear reader that I actually know the answer to this question? Actually I purposefully created this post with the above title in mind for a reason. That being that someone would type 'the meaning of life' into a Google search and stumble upon this humble little blog. A method to the madness if you will.

What the Meaning of Life is Most Definitely NOT

1) We're here for a good time, not a long time: So how exactly does this help someone who is suffering and/or dying? I think this bit of rubbish is quite depressing actually. The fact that we're not here for a long time is true yet gloriously misses the point. To put it in Biblical terms, it says, 'Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.' Not exactly inspirational, is it?

2) Grab as much as you can while you can: Utterly selfish. This attitude of 'So long as I got what I wanted is all that matters' is precisely what's wrong with the world today. Exalting oneself and dumping all your problems on others is the quickest path to defeat and misery.

3) Just follow your heart: Sorry, this is a dead end too. The heart is deceitful above all things and always walks after its own lusts. There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to death. Believe it, brother.

4) The truth lies within: More egoism from the likes of Scientology. Understand that you are blissfully ignorant and that true knowledge emanates from the Divine. You absolutely cannot talk yourself into wisdom. Unless you happen to be Rosie O'Donnell of course.

Now the Punchline

So what is it then? Here goes (deep breath). The meaning of life is to know God and to make Him be known. Putting it into trinitarian terms: Glorify the Father, worship the Son, be filled with the Holy Spirit and lead others to the same. It's that simple. I want you to hear me out on this one: Your birth was not a cosmic accident. Neither was the date or the place. Your name, identity, race and gender was chosen for you by God because He loves you and wants to know you intimately. God chose your parents, your siblings and your family. He gave you life not because you deserved it, but because God saw it fit that through you the person and the name of Jesus Christ would be lifted up and glorified. You are where you are right now because God Himself placed you there. You are strategically located according to His perfect plans, both for your sake and for the coming Kingdom of God.

I hope that helps somewhat. The bottom line is this: Every single man and woman out there who feel that there's something missing in their lives needs to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. If you're ready, I want you to pray something like this:

Dear God,
Lord, I don't know you. I've been struggling all my life to find happiness and I've come up empty. I need you in my life. I want to part of your family. Save me from my sins and I promise you I'll follow you the rest of my life. Fill my life with joy, meaning and hope. Turn me now into the man/woman that you've always wanted me to be. Let me never be ashamed of you. Give me the strength to make my faith known to others. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Johnny Cash