Life’s Meaning!

October 14, 2021

Life’s Meaning!

I officiated at a graveside service at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska last week.  It was a beautiful afternoon in which we celebrated the life of a 102-year-old woman.  Following conversation with some of the family, I headed back home.

As I crossed the bridge over the Interstate, I noticed a vehicle comes towards me.  With both of us driving about 50 miles per hour, the vehicle was approaching in my lane.  I could not turn left or right because of the bridge.  And, I could not stop in time.

There was a moment in which I did not know if I was going to make it back to work or ever see my family again.  The driver of the other vehicle finally swerved back into his lane about five to seven car lengths in front of me.

As I continued my 12-mile drive back to the office, I had some time to reflect and pray.  My thinking time very quickly focused on the meaning of life…my life.

Yesterday morning, I read something written by King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:13.  Solomon writes; “Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:  Respect and obey God!  This is what life is all about.”

Solomon said the meaning of life is discovered in our relationship with God.  That relationship is defined by many things. 

Solomon says the relationship is about respecting and obeying God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  Jesus says the relationship is about loving God, loving our neighbor, and loving self (Matthew 22:36-40).  The Apostle Paul says the relationship is about serving God (Romans 12:11).  The Psalmist says the relationship is about trusting God (Psalm 40:3).

Last week, I was reminded that so much of what I tend to believe is really important in life does not always match with what God says is the meaning of life. 

As I continue to reflect upon the possibility that my life could have ended last week in a head-on wreck on a bridge near a small town in Nebraska, I sense I have been awakened to a clearer understanding of the meaning of life.

The Word of God says my relationship with God is defined, at least in part, by the following things.

Honor God.

Obey God.

Love God.

Serve God.

Trust God.

Love people.

When I live in this kind of relationship with the Lord God, my life has deep meaning and clear purpose even when my day is filled with pain or suffering or something I did not expect. 

It is this meaning of life that brings joy and hope as well as strength and courage.  When the meaning of my life is clear, my heart is filled with delight and desire for the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug