According to an ancient legend, a man became lost in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius saw the man’s predicament and said, “it is evident that men should stay out of places such as this.” Next, Buddha observed the situation and said, “let that man’s plight be a lesson to the rest of the world.” Then Mohammed came by and said to the sinking man, “Alas, it is the will of God.” Finally, Jesus appeared on the scene and said, “take my hand, brother. I will save you.”
There are many religions in the world…and they all have things about which are admirable and even true. But only one provides salvation from sin. Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life and no one goes to the father but by me.”. No other religious leader has ever made that claim because they can’t. No other worldview or mindset can shower us with the Love that we have in the Triune God!!!
We all base our meaning of life on some set of foundations and beliefs.
- Some base their lives on science to “prove” a set of data. (“the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment”)
- Some use Sociology to explain and predict patterns of people. (“the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society…social problems”)
- Some use psychology to understand an individual. (the study of the human mind and it’s functions”)
- Some use philosophy to share their meaning of life. (“the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, as an academic discipline”)
What I find interesting with these approaches is the fact that they are all moving targets. They change with time. The foundation of all of them is shaky and has cracks in it. A new “discovery” makes them go back and re-write what was at one time supposed to be the truth.
I am not knocking any of these disciplines…but when it comes to the “meaning of life”…to the meaning of my life and yours. I want the facts…the always true, never changing, facts about life, creation, sin, forgiveness, my purpose, eternal life, and true unconditional Love.
John 14:6…Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is only one foundation to build your life on…Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior!!!
That’s the beauty of God’s Word…the Bible….the best selling book of all time. That is where we learn about the Lord. That is where we learn about how to live and what is our purpose to exist. In it we find:
- We find the truth about creation…and the beauty of the Garden of Eden.
- The truth that God made man to have an everlasting relationship with God.
- That man sinned…wanted to be God…to make the rules and define his own reality.
- God restored the broken relationship through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection.
- And the truth and Joy that God hand made you…Loves you in spite of your sinfulness…wants you to spend eternity with Him.
That fact, that reality, that blessing…is why you exist. And because of that fact…we desire to grow closer to the Lord and accomplish His plan for your life. That is a lifelong process.
Colossians 2:6-7…So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
This verse makes me think of a healthy tree. Deeply rooted for soil and water, growing year after year season after season, overflowing with fruit and flowers.
Your life takes on meaning as you are rooted in God’s Word, prayer, worship.
You continue to grow closer to the Lord and discover what you were created to do to God’s Glory.
Bearing fruit!!
Be connected to the Lord and His Church. Seek His will for you moment by moment, situation by situation, and season by season. Tell Him that you are available to grow closer to Him, to worship Him, to serve Him, and to bear good fruit through Him.
HUMOR FOR YOUR DAY: (not sure if I shared this…but it’s funny!)
A woman says to her lawyer “I want to divorce my husband.”
‟On what grounds?”
‟Grounds? We have two acres at the edge of town with a big lawn and some fruit trees.”
‟No, that’s not what I meant. Do you have a grudge?”
‟Yes, we’ve a two car garage but only one car so we use the rest for storage.”
(getting exasperated) ‟Does he beat you up?”
‟No, I’m up by 6:30 and sometimes he does not get up until after I’ve left for work.”
‟WHY DO YOU WANT A DIVORCE?”
‟We just can’t seem to communicate.”