What Is the Meaning of Life?

Last night I was reading the December-January issue of Reader’s Digest. An article, “Maintain Your Purpose” by David G. Allen, poses the question, “What is the meaning of life?” and suggests that this question should be asked and answered by each of us anew each year, writing it down without looking at the previous years answers.

Without writing it down I have pretty much answered this question for myself quite some time ago – Serve God, serve others, spread God’s light to those around me (Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16), and remind them, and sometimes myself, to choose joy (Rejoice at all times. 1 Thessalonians 5:16). But I do think that thinking about it and writing it down at least once a year is a good idea.

I also feel that my answer is inclusive to love others and make my corner of the world a better place. There are so many street beggars these days that I get mixed feelings about contributing to them. There is the part that I don’t wish to contribute to their addictions but I also don’t want them to be hungry. And our Corps is usually within walking distance from where they are begging (1-2 blocks), why don’t they go there?

But God has also told us that we will always have the poor among us and to take care of them. (Deuteronomy 15:11, For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land. Psalm 82:3,

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ .Matthew 25:35-40)

Yet, the verse I always think of when making this decision is “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42)

I have two new projects for 2019. This is along with my other activities: still working, still emptying my home, writing this blog, and still Home League Secretary (Women’s Ministries leader). The new projects are: shortly before Christmas (but put away for the last three weeks) I started a painting. I also bought a smaller one to complete. I figured the first one will take me quite awhile to complete. The second project is that I have a friend who wrote a book. I suggested he turn it into thirteen Sunday School lessons for teens. He likes the idea but doesn’t have time so I’m going to do it. I give myself all year for this project. In one year I’ll have to tell you if I achieved my goals or not.

Happy New Year.