The meaning of life!

In the last 13 years as a ministry worker I have come across many people, from all walks of life, that question the meaning of life. Why are we here? Is there a purpose? What is God's objective for my life? These are all very valid questions, and the answer, while difficult to comprehend with our finite minds, is actually a lot simpler than it may seem.

In the movie, Don Juan Demarco, Don Juan says: “There are only four questions of value in life, Don Octavio. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same: only love.” And unwittingly this short quote was amazingly accurate!

In the Matthew 22:35 Jesus enemies approached Him and tried to trip Him up with a trick question. Notice that they sent a lawyer to do their dirty work, so not much has changed in 2000 years! Ha! They asked Him what the greatest law is, and He answered them and gave them two: love God and love your neighbour, and then He expounded further and said that on this hangs all the law and the prophets!

I believe that within this short interaction lies our purpose in life neatly mapped out for us in the simple, yet profound, words of our Lord and Saviour! Folks, our entire purpose on this Earth is to LOVE!! Firstly to love God, but then also to love every other human being with the blinding love of Jesus Christ! Without fear, favour or prejudice.

It goes even deeper than that, when we love others, we are then, ultimately, showing our love towards Jesus! In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says: “Truly I say to you, Because you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

If we, as Christians, could get just this one simple concept right we would win the loveless waiting world for Christ within a very short period of time. I say this because I know that love is the most powerful force on this Earth that has the ability to change hearts, minds and transform even the hardest soul! I have seen grown men reduced to tears when faced with overwhelming, unconditional love, and I have seen sceptics left speechless when they witness the undeniable love of a Christian who loves another to their own hurt and physical loss. There is no counter argument to love!

I didn't mean for this to become a sermon on this beautiful October morning, but I believe God wants us to come to a better understanding of our purpose on this Planet. This is just one facet of our lives for Christ, but I certainly believe that it is the facet that deserves more attention than we have been giving it. I sometimes think that we Christians have missed the mark entirely, but it is never to late to change, or to love!

May God richly bless you this week as you love Him, and your neighbour as yourself!