One of the most perplexing questions of life is simply, well, life! In other words, “Why am I here?” or “What is the meaning of life?” Philosophers and humanists from time immemorial have discussed and debated these questions. Yet for all the reams of writing generated, they have failed miserably in comparison to God’s wisdom.  Paul spoke of the Gentiles and their reputed knowledge: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor. 1:19-20). The point is simple: God gives meaning to life. Without God life has no true purpose. An attentive study of Scripture will demonstrate the significance that God gives to life.

Let us, however, first look at the other side of the equation. If one rejects God, which by definition is an atheist, then what is the purpose of life? Why are we here? If, after all, we are just a random bag of molecules or an accident from natural causes (which, by the way, is scientifically impossible) then life has no meaning. Through this worldview we were not supposed to be here. If we were an accident, then there is no God. Nothing in the physical realm matters. When we die we simply cease to exist.  Thus, when one faces difficult and trying times, even the sorrowful events of life, there is no true comfort. How tragic! Ravi Zacharias in his book Can Man Live Without God sums up this position well:

“For many in our high-paced world, despair is not a moment; it is a way of life. Momentary lapses into disconsolation or even purposelessness are not uncommon, and we all at some time experience these moments. But the resigned posture that deems life to be completely devoid of ultimate purpose and bereft of meaning can hardly be touted as a rationally comforting dogma.”

Our very purpose for existence is to praise God. Jesus, when asked about the greatest commandment, stated, “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind…” (Lk. 10:27). Our purpose in this life is to serve God with every fiber of our being. Modern men often look at servant-hood—any kind of servant-hood—as a curse. But serving God is a blessing. The very nature of God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). As an all-loving God it is His desire to care for us. The nature of love, by definition, is sacrificial (1 Cor. 13, Jn. 3:16). God’s greatest display of love for us is seen in the passion of Christ at Calvary. Through this gracious act, one which we can never repay, a means of forgiveness and salvation was made available. Of course, it is understood, we are still responsible for accepting God’s offer through our obedience to the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 6:3-6; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). As a Christian, our service to God results in eternal blessing. Thus, the ultimate meaning for life is realized by conforming to God’s plan for our lives.

Solomon, one to ponder the meaning of life, wrote, “He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end” (Eccl. 3:11). In a similar vein, Paul says, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33). God’s ways are so masterful and beyond earthly comprehension that it will only be in eternity that we fully grasp the “big picture.” Though much about understanding God’s will is challenging, discovering our purpose in this life is quite simple. Solomon pursued insight into the meaning of life and he wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).

The materialist pursues riches, but finds no peace, happiness or fulfillment. The one who dies with the most toys, money, possessions, etc., still dies. He will face his Creator in the judgment. The Bible reminds us of the follies of heaping up riches: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Lk. 12:15). Jesus follows this statement with parable of the self-reliant rich man who made profit and plans without considering God’s will. Jesus reveals what the man forgot: “But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Lk. 12:20-21). Paul also reminds, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim. 6:7). We come into this life with nothing and leave with the same, thus the true purpose must reside in how we live our life—that is the cause for which we live.

The psalmist, in reflection of God’s powerful design, says, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” (Psa. 8:3-4).  It is amazing, in all of God’s power, that He is mindful of us. Considering who God is and what He has done, only He can reveal the true path for a joyful, satisfied life. Ravi Zacharias says, “I say to you with emphasis that the older you get, the more it takes to fill your heart with wonder, and only God is big enough to do that.” Thus, God provides the answer to all of life’s negatives—all the struggles, sorrows, and misfortunes; as well as its positives—joy, satisfaction, and happiness.  It is only through an understanding of God that life has meaning.