What is the meaning of life?

In one of the Christian forums, a young lady posted the question, "What is the meaning of life?"

This question caught me by surprise. I used to ask myself this question all the time before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. However, I can't remember asking it once in all this time since becoming a believer. In fact, I don't remember anyone asking it in any of the bible studies that I've been part of. Usually, we skip straight to man's sinful state and his redemption.

This is peculiar! Isn't answering this question the essence of all religions?

Everyday, we flail our lives against the tide, barely able to keep our head above the waterline, only to be slapped down just when we think we are making a little headway. So, we ask, "What's the meaning of life?"

Even good times cause us to ask, when it is all over, "Is this it? Is this all that there is? What's the meaning of life?"

Isn't this why we are drawn to one religion or another?

Yet, I never asked myself that question since becoming a believer despite not finding the answer.

So, I thought about it and did some research. Here's what I've come up with:

Through a Christian perspective, the question "What is the meaning of life?" can be broken down to the three following questions:

1. Why did God created the universe? i.e., What is context for the question of life?


2. Why did He created mankind? i.e., What is the meaning of Human Life?


3. Why did He created me to be part of the human race? i.e. What is the meaning of my life?

When we read through the creation story, we find that after each stage of the creation, "God saw that it was good." And after creation was complete, "God saw that it was very good."

The English word "good" was translated from the Hebrew word "tobe". "Tobe" means more than just good; Tobe embodies the adjectives good, beautiful, and pleasurable.

It seems that God is a creative being who wanted to create something beautiful and pleasing to Him. The creation was his canvas and his art is not only multi-dimensional but also extends across time and between the spiritual and physical worlds.

The most good, beautiful, and pleasurable part of creation, God reserved for mankind for He had made man in His own image.

It seems, however, that one man is insufficient to exhibit the multifaceted character of God so He created men and women of not only different shapes, sizes and shades, but also of different character. In Revelation 7:9, we see a description of the completed masterpiece:

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

The meaning of each of our lives? Each of us is created to be a piece of the best, the most beautiful, and the most pleasurable part of God's artwork.

Sin, however marred this artwork in two ways. It marred the body by causing it to age and die. And it marred the soul, weakening its character.

The redemption process is for the purpose of restoring the beauty of the soul.

And when He returned, we shall receive glorious bodies [Philippians 3:20]

At this time, God's masterpiece is restored to its full glory.