A meaningful life

 

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Richard was dead. For forty years I had been planning to look him up and apologize for my reaction to something he had said as a joke. When I did eventually look for him, I discovered that he had died ten years after the incident and that shocked me and had me scratching about in the past: photographs, messages, and school yearbooks. Names and faces had my brain racing. Was I ever that young? Some names made me smile, some I remembered with displeasure, some I did not.

Thirty of us sat in a classroom forty years ago, and I don't recall one of them trying to contact me since then. I don't blame them. I am not an easy person to get along with. I am not one who would be remembered. I would call very few friends even though we spent five years in the same classroom. Still, I wondered what had become of them.

It took less than an hour to discover that some of them were dead. Some had emigrated, and some had just disappeared in time, but most were heading to retirement. There was an analyst, a mechanic, a pilot, teachers aplenty, housewives and bikers, and a preacher.

One, Mark had gone into ministry and had 1200 followers, died, and was remembered for his teaching. Nigel worked for a motor company and was just gone.

Richard, a gentle person, was a diesel mechanic and had died in an accident at work.

Their social media pages have tributes but will be deleted soon and photos thrown away. With time they will be forgotten as will I. And this idea made me ask those age-old questions:

• Why am I here?

• What is my purpose?

• Will I be remembered?

Centuries ago thirteen men sat in a room and had a meal together. They had been traveling companions for three years and had come to know each other very well. But this fellowship was about to be tested in ways they could not imagine. Up until this moment they had each had fairly normal professions. One was a carpenter, some were fishermen, there was a tax collector amongst them, and another was a politician. Paul, who would later be counted with their number, was a tent maker. Nothing remarkable but all still necessary and important occupations. It was employment that put food on the table and kept a roof over their heads. Each in his own way was contributing to society but the benefits felt were only short-term and narrow and localized in scope. In the years to come, they would travel to foreign lands, never see each other again, and suffer terribly because of this fellowship.

Time has proven that their lives and the suffering they endured after this meal would be profound and have global meaning for centuries to come. That moment in time, around the dinner table, probably went by like many others. It was nothing special, just another meal, but the symbolism and aftermath of a little bread and wine completely changed their outlook and purpose. We do not know what they looked like in appearance, or anything about their family lives. We do not even know, with any certainty, where they are buried, but their names and deeds live on.

In recounting the deaths of the apostles, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs ends with the words:

‘And yet, not withstanding all these continual persecutions and horrible punishments, the Church daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and of men apostolical, and watered plenteously with the blood of saints.” (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)

The details of how each one ministered, their interactions with individuals, and their day-to-day lives, have been lost but the consequences are still evident today. In their day, they would have been relatively unknown beyond the areas where they worked, but their testimony reveals lives lived with purpose and meaning, so much so that their legacy was a changed world. They were called apostles of Jesus Christ. This title described their purpose, work, passion, and community service.

Isaiah.43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

How have we glorified Him? How can we glorify Him? The apostles of Jesus Christ led meaningful lives, how will I be judged in the years after my death? We might think otherwise but both Winston Churchill and Leonardo da Vinci considered themselves failures. Peter, when led out to be crucified, requested that the Romans crucify him upside down as he was not worthy to suffer the same death as his Lord. If great people thought that of themselves what does it take for us, ordinary men and women to live meaningful lives?

What does a meaningful life look like?

Each person is different and the lives we lead are not the same. Each life should have meaning but that meaning differs from person to person even though the experience or underlying precepts are similar.

A meaningful life has a purpose. It keeps us excited every day. It is knowing that you are making a difference in your world and other people’s lives. It is knowing that your life is a vehicle for change and improvement. It is using your knowledge, talents, and skills to the benefit of others and for things you care about. It is knowing that you are making things better.

Moses at 80, found meaning in a Voice calling out to him from a burning bush.

Elijah found meaning by confronting the heresy plaguing Israel in the form of Ahab and Jezebel.

Nehemiah, the king's cup-bearer, saw meaning in reaching out to protect his people.

Daniel found meaning in a life of prayer.

David found meaning in confronting the enemies of Israel.

Paul was flogged, stoned, cursed, chased, and shipwrecked but each day he would awake with one purpose, to go out into the world to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He put his body on the line time and again to accomplish his purpose. It must have been a great joy for him to write the following words to his disciples after everything he had been through:

1Thess.1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Living a meaningful life means that the doing is more important than the reward. You do what you do without reward in mind. You set your values and what you want to accomplish without the thought of being rewarded. The ‘work’ is more important than money. It is the realization that there are some things more important than you.

2Cor.12:14...for I seek not yours, but you...

A meaningful life gives you a sense of belonging. Living a life of purpose draws people to you and you to people. This interaction makes life worth living.

Mark.9:41...because ye belong to Christ...

A meaningful life brings peace and satisfaction. There is a calmness, contentment, and happiness in those who are living a meaningful life. Days are a joy and not a grind – something to look forward to and not dread.

Col.3:15.And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

A meaningful life means the work is never done. It is ongoing, growing, spreading, and affecting more and more lives.

Don't count the days, make the days count. Muhammed Ali.