The Road to Meaning
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Living a meaningful life should be our goal throughout our short time on this earth. It is our path down a road with no destination while on this third rock from the sun. Our task in finding meaning begins as we strive to improve. Nurturing our relationship with others in this world and cultivating our relationship with God is the map that leads to eternal significance. The search for meaning requires us to look at the small experiences and the large, life-transforming moments. Yet, meaning will remain beyond our reach until we acknowledge God’s existence and participation in this world and our souls.
We, humans, look for meaning in the most unlikely places. Some try to find meaning by taking peyote and interpreting the hallucinations. Others seek meaning in a series of unfulfilling sexual encounters. Still, others try to find meaning in some nebulous form of spirituality that claims power in everything from crystals to palm readings. The number of dead-end roads claiming the answer to life’s purpose is endless. (Try being a Vikings fan for 60 years!)
Once again, I turn to Thomas Oppong for inspiration. His article “Your Only Goal Is Meaning: How to Live Well” affirms, “Life has meaning when your actions are aligned with your values.” The road to assessing our values requires the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom. Oppong warns, “A meaningful life is not merely the pursuit of happiness, a balanced and stress-free existence, or a life free from struggle.” It requires struggle and occasional pain to walk the rugged roads to meaningfulness. The journey down meaning’s road takes time, patience, and sacrifice. Yet, when meaning is recognized and appreciated, the sacrifice will not feel as challenging as first thought.
Today, take some time and reflect on the moments in your journey when you took a bend in the road because you recognized a new meaning in your life. Perhaps it was the moment you were going to be a parent, or you stopped feeling like you were pretending to be an adult and accepted your responsibilities. Next, ponder the spiritual experiences in which you felt God was close to you, reaffirming your faith commitment. Each of these memories solidifies your values and brings meaning. You begin to recognize God walking down the road with you when you take these steps.