May 29

The Struggle for Meaning and Purpose in Life.

One of the greatest struggles for the postmodern world is to find purpose and meaning in life.
The novel Steppenwolf, by Hermann Hesse is a story written from a postmodern perspective. At the novel's end, Harry Haller stands looking at himself in a mirror. During the course of his life he had experienced all the world offers. And now he stands looking at himself, and he mutters "Ah, the bitter taste of life!" He spits at himself in the looking-glass, and then he kicks it to pieces. His life has been futile and meaningless.

If there is no God, if there is no grand design to life, then life itself becomes meaningless. Life has no ultimate purpose without God. If death stands with open arms at the end of life's trial, then what is the goal of life? To what end has life been lived? Is it all for nothing? Is there any goal or purpose for the universe?

I ask people this question to reinforce the brevity of achievement, “Tell me about any of the achievements of your great grandparents?” That is simply remembering what your family did less than a 100 years ago.”

The truth is, without God, no one will remember anything about our lives in two generations. Yet with God, giving a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus will count for all eternity. We might forget the small acts of kindness and love we do in Jesus’ name, but he never will.

Solomon makes it clear today, the only thing a god-less world offers us is emptiness.... the emptiness of human wisdom, the emptiness of pleasure, the emptiness of achievement, the emptiness of labor and the list goes on and on. The only hope for meaning and purpose is a life lived for God.

So here is our homework.... bless one person with Jesus’ love over the next 24 hours.

Make a phone call to a lonely person.
Bring a cup of coffee to a fellow worker who has mistreated you.
Forgive someone who hurt you.
Go out of your way to smile to some and share a word of encouragement.
Be creative and make up your own act.....

One small acts of kindness, done in the name of Jesus, will give you hope, meaning and purpose in life.

Just do it!!!