What is the purpose of life? If life is a game, how do we know if we are winning?
Theologians, philosophers, and People magazine have all tried to answer this question for us over the years, but I want to drill down a bit deeper and personalize the conversation. Instead of asking the question, “what is the purpose of humanity?” I want YOU to ask YOURSELF the question, “what is the purpose of MY life?”
How would you answer that question?
While you are reflecting on it, let me offer some observational suggestions of where many find purpose in life:
- Life is about living. I know that I am “winning” if I am still alive and fighting off the inevitable effects of aging.
- Life is about accumulating. I know I am “winning” if I have more today than I had yesterday in things, vacations, and financial deposits.
- Life is about comfort. I know I am “winning” if life is enjoyable and fun.
- Life is about accomplishments. I know I am “winning” if I get a promotion, am famous, or win an award.
How would Jesus answer this question? What is the life that He would call blessed? Based on the categories above, we might imagine Jesus saying:
“Blessed are the old who look young (and are healthy), for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the rich in this world, for they are the ones getting life right. Blessed are those who experience the least amount of trouble, for they are triumphant. Blessed are the honored by society, for they are on a winning streak.”
But did Jesus ever say those things?
In His most famous sermon, Jesus began by saying something quite different, “Blessed are the poor in spirit … those who mourn … the meek … those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … the merciful … the pure in heart … the peacemakers … and the persecuted.” (Matthew 5:2-12) Jesus says that those who are blessed, might be those who look cursed! Therefore, in order to determine who is winning in life, we need to look a bit deeper. After all:
- We will not find ultimate meaning in longevity … for time is undefeated. We will just grow deeper and deeper into despair as our body breaks down over time.
- We will not find ultimate meaning in things … moth and rust will eventually destroy them anyway, causing us to worry and fret about the preservation of things that will never last.
- We will not find ultimate meaning in comfort … while no one chases discomfort, discomfort finds us anyway! Thus “comfort-tied” purpose is short lived, and life feels futile when things get hard.
- We will not find ultimate meaning in accomplishments … for each victory makes us hungry for more, and we can never “win enough” to be truly satisfied.
The ultimate meaning of life is found in the Creator of life and living consistent with His design. We are created in the image of God to spread the glory of God to the ends of the universe. When we are living in light of that design, we are truly blessed by the grace of God regardless of our circumstances.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that we are both salt and light, and that we are designed to impact the world around us for His glory. This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be diving into this text as we begin a new three part sermon series called “Shine.” We will worship, pray, open God’s Word, and share the Lord’s supper together. Hope you are there in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service … and bring friends!