Beyond Common Sense

What a broad question! First, we need to narrow it to the meaning of life for the believer. Does that narrow it? Well, yes, or it should. An unbeliever has NOTHING to do with God. He goes about his day finding purpose and meaning in his accomplishments, whether “good” or “bad.” A thief finds purpose and thrill in stealing successfully. A businessman is satisfied by landing a great transaction. And, while that can be true for a believer as well, the satisfaction may pale when compared to his eternal perspective.

An unbelieving mom may find purpose in her children, running them to practices every night of the week and making sure they “fit in” to society’s standard. But should the believing mom’s purpose stop there?

I am a pastor’s wife.  I teach women, teen girls, and children. I blog and I write books. So, I should have my “what is the meaning of life” cup full, right? Then why was I asking the Lord this question this morning? Just so I could write a helpful blog? I pray that is the main reason, but I think it was two-fold.

First, I took a look inward and tried to answer that question. This is what I came up with:

I FIND MEANING IN LIFE WHEN I AM LIVING AND DOING FOR JESUS

1. Micah 6: 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (NKJV) Well that’s simple!
   • Do what is just. Life by the rules. Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.
   • Love mercifully. In other words, don’t just love in words alone but put actions to work.
   • Walk with God—walk humbly. Well, there’s a lot there! Walking with God is a lifelong effort of choosing to do what is right doing it with humility takes a lifetime of putting others first!
2. Mark 12: 29-31 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel;
   • The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God
     • with all thy heart,
     • and with all thy soul,
     • and with all thy mind,
     • and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
3. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Those two verses came to mind. They shout, “DO,DO,DO!” Certainly, we are to be busy about the Lord’s business. They also shout, “BE,BE,BE!” I want to be like Jesus and shine for Him!

BUT WHAT IF I’M DOING THAT TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND I STILL QUESTION MY PURPOSE FOR LIVING? Ah! So glad you asked because that is where I was this morning, and here is answer number two:

I HAVE AN ENEMY!!! AND HE IS KNOCKING AT MY DOOR!

1. Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
   • We have an enemy who NEVER sleeps, NEVER tires of tormenting us, NEVER stops harassing us!!! He is worse than I could ever describe and he knows that if we, God’s children, are discouraged, depressed, and looking inward, we will be ineffective in whatever God has called us to do!
   • He’s a liar (Genesis. 3:5; John 8:44)
   • He appears as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
   • He is the Prince of this World (John 12:31,14:30,16:11)
2. GOOD NEWS! He is also…
   1. A defeated foe (Revelation 20:3—do notice that it will be in the future. He’s alive and active now but we can defeat him with God’s Word!)
   1. His powers of temptation are limited (1 Corinthians 10:13)
   1. He knows when he is defeated (James 4:7)
   1. His time is short—which keeps getting shorter and he just keeps getting nastier (Revelation 12:12)!

So, if in these times of death, disease, and discouragement, you are asking yourself the BIG question, that is a good thing! We all need to take a self-check every once and a while. These are just two conclusions which the Lord showed me this morning.  Hope they are a blessing!

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:

for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11