By Bernice Gan and Hannah Tang Peled
All of us have probably at one time or another pondered, “What is the meaning of life?” “What am I here for?”
The writer of Ecclesiastes made it his life’s goal to seek and understand life’s meaning. He grew weary of much study and at the end of it all, concluded that life’s meaning is encapsulated in our relationship with God.
He said: “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” – Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20
The search for meaning
Indeed, the greatest commandment in both the Old and New Testament is to love God. Loving God is a response to a God who created and loves us. He relates to us as a loving Heavenly Father who wants the best for us (Jeremiah 29: 11; Matthew 7: 9-10).
Our response is to trust Him even when the path we tread seems difficult and the future bleak. As we trust Him, He works in situations and people for good in ways that we could not imagine in our own wisdom or strength (Romans 8:28)
For life’s meaning is not found out there, but within us and in our circumstances – in our relationship with God as His child, in the relationships God has given us, in being able to use our talents in the work God has placed in our hands to do.
When our hearts are filled with contentment and gratitude, we begin to enjoy what we have and what we do.
Finding joy in hard places
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
Recently, because of painful news from friends and loved ones, my heart was heavy with questions.
The song of Habakkuk came to mind. I recalled that God’s prophet struggled with the injustice he saw and the violence his people were going through. He was full of questions and anguish.
I learnt three lessons from Habakkuk:
Firstly, Habakkuk struggled because although he believed in God’s goodness and power, he could not see it worked out in his present reality. Habakkuk brought all his questions and doubts before God. Instead of hiding, Habakkuk bared his soul.
I am thankful for the space that God allows us to lament in honesty and in a way that draws us closer to Him.
Secondly, while surrendering his questions to God, Habakkuk waited in expectation to listen for God’s answer. In response, God showed Habakkuk His perspective. Through this frank dialogue, Habakkuk gained a deeper understanding of God’s justice and mercy.
Lastly, while Habakkuk’s circumstances did not immediately change, he chose to hold on in faith and find joy in the Lord and His salvation plan.
We may also face situations that crush us. When our hope is quenched, God desires that we bring Him our brokenness.
He alone has the comfort that our souls need. He alone can give us strength to stand throughout our sufferings, in the hope of life to come. He alone can bring us real joy, even in hard places.
Reflect and Respond
- Where are you searching for meaning in life?
- Is joy found in our circumstances or in our relationship with a good and loving God
- What are some things you are grateful for today? As we give thanks to God, let the peace and joy of the Lord fill our hearts!
Read with your child
In our previous devotions, we mentioned that to experience true joy you need to plug into Jesus, the only source of everlasting joy. How do you do that?
- We can set aside half an hour to do our Quiet Time every day.
- During Quiet Time, we can worship God and read the Bible.
- We can pray to God. Prayer is talking to God and allows us to connect with God.
You will discover how much God loves you by reading the Bible. God’s words can also inspire you to count your blessings. Recognising our blessings can shift our focus to joy in any and every situation.
