Every month, more than 500,000 people Google “meaning of life.” Why am I here? They find answers ranging from “Life has no meaning” to “The meaning of life is whatever you make it.”
Let’s consider the meanings of two of the Greek words for “life” found in the New Testament: psuché, means natural, created life; and zoé, meaning God’s eternal, supernatural life. It’s possible to have psuché but not zoé . . . or to be biologically alive but spiritually dead.
God is an abundant source of spiritual life (Genesis 2:7). We were created to have this life inhabiting us just as water fills a well or as God indwelt the temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). But with humankind’s rebellion (Genesis 3:1-7), we severed this source of life. A vacant space marked our hearts—the well had lost its spring, the temple had lost its God.
But a Man came forth from Galilee full of zoé (John 1:3-4). “My purpose is to give them . . . zoé,” He said of His mission (John 10:10). To those who believed in Him He promised that “rivers of living water will flow from his heart” (John 7:38) and that He would bring the Father to dwell within them (John 14:23). Jesus came to unleash the water in the well and bring the indwelling God back into the temple of our hearts. And with God’s supernatural life now within us, God starts working in us, “giving [us] the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). He doesn’t just give us energy but a mission.
So, what is the meaning of life? From the Christian perspective it is to live with God—to have His life living within us and to have Him live His life through us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
More:
In John 10:1-16, Jesus is the Shepherd who gives His life so that we can have zoé. Reflect on this life-for-life sacrifice.
Next:
How have you struggled with the meaning of life? What does this say about the significance of our time spent with God?
pjp on November 27, 2012 at 5:30 am
Accurate and powerful, Our God is awesome and good, praise His name. Tnx Sheridan
sheridan voysey on November 27, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Amen to that. Thanks pjp.
Gene on November 27, 2012 at 7:27 am
These are great truths to meditate on. Ephesians 2:10 also comes to mind. I plan to share this with a friend.
sheridan voysey on November 27, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I love Ephesians 2:10. Meditate on it for a week and life certainly will be found to have meaning!
You may also find this slightly longer article helpful for sharing with your friend: http://sheridanvoysey.com/the-meaning-of-life-heres-a-5th-option There’s a lot of searching going on right now.
Thanks Gene.
mike wittmer on November 27, 2012 at 8:26 am
That is a lot of searching people! Union with Christ is the key to life–so glad that we don’t have the unbearable pressure of creating our own meaning. Thank you for this great reminder, Sheridan.
sheridan voysey on November 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm
The first time I checked this (through Google keyword search) it was 300,000 people searching the ‘meaning of life’ phrase. Six months later it was 400,000 people. The last time I checked it was 550,000 people. No doubt, some are looking for the famous Monty Python movie, but not all :).
And I agree – the prospect of ‘making’ our life meaningful is burdensome thought. And ultimately fraught with frustration.
roxanne robbins on November 27, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Thankful that the Lord made us purposefully and that He gives us purpose.
winn collier on November 27, 2012 at 4:03 pm
life to the full. each time I hear this words, this kind of reminder to good life you’ve given us, it’s obvious how we’ve settled for so little.