Recently I had the honor of presenting a Devotional to a group of Prayer Coordinators. I also would like to share it with you.
Let me start with a question… when you stop a moment in your busy life, do you ask yourself… do I live a meaningful life? Do remember that ‘meaningful life’ is individually defined. What mine is may never interest you… and vice versa. Never get caught up in comparison when you look at your life. Not fair, not right. And… in developing your definition/your descriptions, make certain they are yours, make certain they are measurable, and make certain they are attainable. How fulfilled and fruitful will you feel if the ‘goal’ is easily reached – somewhat cheated? How will you feel if they are so out of reach that attaining them is never going to occur. Show some grace toward you.
Do you know what ‘a meaningful life’ is, means? Do you have your definition so that at the end of the day as you are lying down and putting your head onto the pillow – what are your thoughts? Are you ‘happy’ with your day? Did you spend time with the Lord and felt renewed and refreshed in His presence and in the process… perhaps I should ask if you’ve made time for the Lord? Is there a sense of peace and satisfaction? First of all my questions are not meant to make you uncomfortable if you haven’t done so. Granted, this is a ‘suggestion’ because ‘meaningful’ is part of your identity – who you are and how you go about doing you.
Now that I’ve said that, I decided to discover how scripture describes and defines ‘meaningful’.
According to Christianity.com:
“a meaningful life is one that has significance for others and positively impacts the world with the gifts and talents God has given. Dr. Michael Youssef says that a meaningful life with God is also purposeful, joyful, fulfilling, and a blessing to others and God. He also says that a life without God’s guidance is without purpose and meaning, but that living in fellowship with God and following His Word can be meaningful.”
“A life lived in fellowship with God, a life lived under the authority of the Word of God, a life lived by the principles given to us in His Word—that life will be meaningful.” This is according to Leading the Way: ltw.org
Applying God’s Word goes on to say, 4 principles govern:
You Need a Personal Relationship With God (Philippians 4:12-13)
You Need to Love and Be Loved By People
You Need to Know Your Purpose
You Need Personal Passion Projects that Serve People and Glorify GodThese passion projects mentioned in the 4th principle need three elements:
1. They need to be enjoyable to you.
2. They need to be helpful to other people and
3. They need to be done for the glory of God.
So if you want to live a meaningful life, you must always have passion projects going on in your life.”
Their analysis: While God has created all people the same in some senses, He has also created each of us uniquely different as well. In other words, the way we love God, the way we interact with people, and the way we accomplish our purpose to glorify God should be uniquely expressed through our individual, God-given personalities. …
In Romans 12:4-6 Paul teaches:
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them . . . .”
When you consider your ‘meaningful’ is it the big things you’ve accomplished? Did you have a set number of these or is one sufficient? Do you rest on your laurels and point to this as your statement about being meaningful? By the way… who defined ‘big’ for you? You? And… I don’t remember reading anything about one and done. Did I miss it? If it exists – can you point me to the confirming verses?
It’s true that ‘meaningful’ is individually defined but sometimes we haven’t taken the time to do our defining. And if we don’t… how will we recognize it? I also tend to think that when we have done something meaningful, we typically recognize it (if we even recognize it) after the fact. And if we, in considering either/both our words and actions, we consider it no big thing – does meaningful always have to be a ‘big’ thing?
Bottom line: I’d like to point out that many times meaningful IS defined in the little things, your actions or words that touched someone else – that cup of water. But whether ‘big’ or ‘small’ the point is meaningful is defined in terms of relationship(s). Meaningful really can’t be if you isolate yourself from life and all its joys and pains, mistakes and successes – all of that counts. How can a self protected life really define meaningful?
I would like to suggest that you don’t simply say – ‘well that was an interesting thought and leave it at that. It really is crucial to know what is meaningful for you – not people, not activities… your life. My suggestion is that if it isn’t all you want, or you’re not certain what you actually have or need or want, that you take some time and just sit and have a conversation with the Lord. He’ll help and direct and be all that He is that you allow Him to be in your life. Ohh the discoveries you’ll make! And the things you’ll learn. That’s part of meaningful life too. We are all on such a grand adventure!
