THE MEANING OF LIFE
There are many changes occurring on Earth and within yourself at this time. You may find world events and the antics of others becoming more alarming. At times, you may feel as though you are going insane or that life is useless or hopeless. This could be a call from the Creator for you to stop and take inventory of your life.
Your current beliefs hold tremendous power over your ability to make choices that are in your best interest. Think back on times when you adhered to a specific truth, no matter how trivial it was. Then remember the feelings and thoughts surrounding that belief when you had an “Aha!” moment and discarded the initial thought for another. Notice that to fully release, you also changed various patterns and behaviors associated with the old belief that did not fit your new paradigm.
You have the free will to choose any path you wish to explore. Yet, with each choice, there comes the natural progression of cause and effect. It is good each day to reflect on the choices you have made or planning to make. Observe your thoughts, words, actions and emotions. Question yourself as honestly as you can. Why do I think, act and feel this way?” Bless each action as a learning tool, an experience that helped you to gain more wisdom and knowledge. With each experience comes the opportunity to release old beliefs or to adopt new ones. Prayerfully seek to know truth. Be wary of accepting the “truth” or opinions of others, for there is much false information and propaganda that can lure you away from a strong relationship with God.
When one sincerely asks the Creator to know the truth, we are promised, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Matthew 7:7-8
Some good indicators to consider when making decisions is to ask yourself, am I choosing this based on fear? Am I choosing this based on love? Will it improve my ability to give and receive love? Would this be something my loving Creator would want from me? Will this choice help, hinder or negatively enable others involved?
Below we receive knowledge from Solomon who, as a young king, was offered anything he wanted from God. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the nation and was abundantly gifted with wisdom. As an added bonus for his selfless request, he was also gifted with great wealth and honor… and more (1 Kings 3). Through his writings, we find that Solomon experienced and mastered many things. He was also deeply reflective of his choices, seeking the meaning of life. You may find his reflections in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, to be of great interest if you, too, are pondering the meaning of your life. The following is Solomon’s summary of his observations.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: revere God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.“ ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-24
When one looks at the “ten commandments” of God (Exodus 20:1–17), one begins to see that the purpose behind them was to encourage us to make choices based on love: loving God, loving others and loving oneself. Following these principles also help to keep us from falling into the snares of demons, who as an apostle closest to Jesus warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8.
We also have the example of the apostle Paul, who passionately followed God’s laws to the point of zealously persecuting the believers of Jesus. However, Paul had become ensnared in the writings of religious men, grossly misinterpreting the meaning of Jesus’ life. On his way to persecute more Christians, Paul had a Jesus encounter that set him on a whole new course of action, giving greater meaning to his own life.
Paul was knowledgeable of Solomon’s writings, including his advice to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When hit with greater understanding directly from the resurrected Jesus, Paul’s blinders were removed. He received the blessing Jesus had promised, mentioned previously from Matthew 7:7-8. Paul turned his zealous ambitions from torturing and imprisoning the followers of Jesus, to being the greatest missionary to spread the message of Jesus. Much of the New Testament are copies of letters Paul wrote to churches he established. His writings reflect his greater understanding of the meaning of life. Including the following advice.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
When you feel your prayers aren’t answered and you’re feeling hopeless and that life is meaningless, consider the words of James, the half-brother of Jesus. He too had a huge life shift. Can you imagine your younger sibling growing up and claiming to be the long-awaited Messiah? James didn’t believe it at first, but there came a time when his eyes were opened. Then James came forth, leading the church in Jerusalem, the hot spot where followers of Jesus were persecuted. The testimony of what he witnessed with his little brother eventually led to his gruesome death at the hands of the unbelieving religious leaders.
What beliefs do you have that you would be willing to die for? I encourage you to read the letters (epistles) written by Paul and James. They, like Solomon’s collection of proverbs, are full of wisdom that can help to bring meaning to your life. They too lived in perilous times and suffered at the hands of others. How they responded is why their legacy lives on.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.“ ~ James 1:2-8
One indicator to know that you are in alignment with God is when you begin to experience peace, no matter what is happening around you. Worry will melt away and your love for God, others and yourself will begin to skyrocket. Here is one of Paul’s gems.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:4-9
If you are grappling with the meaning of life and looking for some upliftment, check out my web page for some upliftment. theresacrabtree.com/comforting-bible-verses/
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