What is the meaning of Life?

It has often been said that humans are born with a “God-shaped hole”: a restless yearning that can only God can fill.

King David, the Psalmist, wrote: “…my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1 NIV). Jesus met a woman drawing water from a well, and told her: “…the water [I give you] will become…a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

Our lives have purpose and meaning in the light of God’s love and his plan for an eternity with him. Our greatest purpose is to understand God’s plan of salvation and to prepare to spend eternity with him. We find true happiness when we follow this path. That is the meaning of Life.

God’s purpose for us in this life is also to enjoy fulfilling relationships based on love. Because God is Love, he created us to love. We cannot experience that perfectly in this life with regard to other people, but we can experience it perfectly now with God. In eternity, we will experience perfect love with everyone.

Jesus demonstrated to us that the meaning of Life, it’s purpose, also lies in loving service to others, and this contributes to true happiness and fulfilment in this life.

Paul tells the Roman Christians, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13 ESV).

If there is no meaning to life, there cannot be any hope, but the Bible tells us that God will supply hope, joy and peace through belief in the gospel. Because we are God’s children, we can only be truly happy and fulfilled when we are connected to him.

Another important purpose in this life is to become more like Jesus. The New Testament is full of reminders to look to Jesus, and by meditating on him and his work, you will gradually become more like him. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When God is the foundation of your life, you can accept yourself; when you accept yourself, you can accept other people, and this takes you to what Jesus said was the heart of God’s law: “Love God, and love our neighbour as much as you love yourself” (from Mark 12:30-31).

There is no greater hope and meaning in life. “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

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