Have you ever asked yourself the Big 3 questions?
The Big 3 are those key life questions that most human beings ponder at some point in time. One could argue that the questions themselves may very well have been planted in our hearts by God to create a longing to find the answers in Him. The Big 3 are as follows:
Sure there are many other significant life questions worthy of intent investigation, but these 3 encompass so much of humanity’s shared journey. The meaning of life is really represented by the second of the Big 3, “Why am I here?”. In other words, “What is the meaning of life?”
It was this very question we discussed over dinner the other night. There is an event being held at our sons’ university bringing together 5 different spiritual world views to discuss this question. Students on campus were polled to find out the key life questions they would like to see answered. “What is the meaning of life?” came out on top.
In light of this event we discussed our belief about the meaning of life. We definitely had consensus around the table. We could summarize our thoughts in 2 words: To love. We each went to the question posed to Jesus in Mark 12:28-31: “What is the greatest commandment?”
Jesus basically said, “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And, love your neighbour as yourself.”
Simple right? Well, not so simple if you are a selfish, self-centered, sinful person – which we all are. And that explains why God Himself came to change our spiritual DNA so we can love God and love others. We can only love because God first loved us:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Love is actually the very essence of God:
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16b
So what then is love? Well, love is action:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
So how do we love God?
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15
So, we love God by obeying His commands, and a new commandment Jesus gave us is to love one another:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34, 35
And, as explained in 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient, kind, humble, selfless, polite and not easily angered. Love doesn’t envy, boast or delight in evil. Love protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, forgives, never fails and rejoices in the Truth. These qualities are to mark our actions toward others.
So what is the meaning of life?
To love God and love people.
The only way we can do that is through the transformational love of God who first loved us. God is love and God in us enables us to love Him and to love others. That love is demonstrated in deed, not just in word.
Love is a verb; it is an action word. Love in action is marked by patience, kindness, humility, selflessness, politeness, peace, contentedness, modesty, goodness, trustworthiness, hopefulness, forgiveness, protection, perseverance, and fortitude. And all the while we rejoice in the Truth – particularly the Truth that we are loved by God.
We are beloved children of God!
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
It’s all about love. Loving God and each another, because God first loved us.
So how can you further step into the meaning of your life? How will you choose to love God and love others?