The Meaning of Life

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20 NIV)

We can make life about a lot of things—school, friends, romance, children, grandchildren, career, hobbies, charitable causes—but it truly is, and always has been, about one Person—Jesus.  “All things have been created through him and for him.”  Many search for the meaning of life; there it is in one sentence.  It’s about Jesus.

Of course, there is much opposition to this thought.  For much of the world, religion is an anathema and they look at Jesus as just one of several of history’s idyllic teachers.  They believe, perhaps, that life can be improved by following some of His teachings, but He is left on the edges of life, far from the center of it.  Even to many who acknowledge Christianity as the true religion and Jesus as the Son of God, too much focus on Jesus is an uncomfortable thing.  I grew up in a church where the emphasis was placed much more on doing good than following Jesus as the Creator and Lord of life.  The reality is that most people are more comfortable with Jesus at the fringes of life or out of the picture altogether.  

But if we are to believe this passage, as well as all others in the Scriptures, is inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16-17), then we must recognize that life comes from Jesus and is to be lived for Him.  He can’t just be part of our lives, being there just when we think we need Him.  His role is not as our servant, but as our Lord.  

The Lord indeed gave us life for our enjoyment (I Timothy 6:17), so there is nothing wrong with having friends, being married, having children, having a career and hobbies.  Those are good things, but they must always be kept in perspective.  Jesus is the provider of all those things and wants us to enjoy them, but, more importantly, He does not want His gifts to distract us from Him.  For the giver is always more important than the gift.  

Today, consider the meaning and purpose of your life.  Is it centered on Jesus, or have you become distracted by the many things He has given you to enjoy?  If it is the latter, know that life is ultimately about Jesus and it is only in and through Him that it will have true meaning.

© Jim Musser 2014