The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose

As a minister I am often ask this question,"What is the purpose of life?" Recently I was asked this question by a fellow traveler on a flight from Wichita to Atlanta. As it often does, the question began to roll around it my head. Then it starts: is this person looking for a short or long answer? Should I answer from a worldly perspective or a spiritual one? Since I don't really know this person well, do I go with a short pass or do I go deep? As I quickly pondered my possible answers a simple yet profound phrase popped into my head, "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." The phrase itself is not met to be a riddle but truly meaningful when given a bit more thought.

Most folks want to know their lives had purpose and were not lived in vain. All of us seek to leave a meaningful mark on the world and people around us. So living a meaningful life, a life of purpose, is important. Yet we have to believe how we define the word purpose will weigh heavily upon our direction in life and the choices we make. We can be purpose driven but without a clear idea of what our purpose is, the drive will be a frustrating and empty one.

 Purpose is often defined by money and or possessions, the idea of materials success. It can be viewed by others as the gain of responsibility or even power, the position we hold in our jobs or society. The definitions or suggestions for a definition are endless. So I decided to be more direct in answering my fellow traveler's question. A life of purpose is knowing God and doing his will, even if it seems uncomfortable, out of step with society's definition of success, or just plain unpopular. The bottom line comes down to who are we really trying to please. As people we are created in the image of the living God, for his glory not our own, in order that we may come to know him, to worship his fully, and to do his will. Not always the easiest life, but a life of meaning and purpose, guaranteed to leave a mark on this world and the people around us.

It is easy for anyone to question life's purpose especially during difficult times. However, since I believe God is truly active in our lives I often remind myself of this by remembering Psalm 25:4-5, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me,  for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." So the purpose of life is a life of purpose. In the end, the real question is simply who's purpose?

RefRev