The question, “What is the meaning of my life?” is one we grapple with repeatedly throughout our journey. In childhood, we wonder, “What will I become when I grow up?” In our youth, we ask, “How should I shape my future? Am I making the most of these formative years?”
As we enter adulthood, the questions deepen: “Is my family the purpose of my existence? What about my personal dreams and ambitions? How will life change when my children grow up?”
In later years, reflection takes center stage: “Was my life meaningful? Did I leave a lasting legacy?”
At every stage, we are often haunted by a core set of questions: “Am I living fully? Is my life meaningful? Am I using my time wisely? Am I on the right path? Will all my efforts amount to something worthwhile in the end?”
According to the World
The meaning of life used to be suggested by the needs of the society. When the government required increased productivity and more materials, they taught people that a meaningful life is one of working hard. When society required higher technology and skills, they told people that a valuable life is one of education, academics, career, and achievement. When the economy needed the consumption of items and services to grow, companies advertised that “flexing” and chasing after each one’s pleasure and desire is a meaningful life.
However, the Bible tells us that none of these can show us the true meaning of life. About hard work, the Bible says: “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:3
Some think it is a good life if we own a house and a successful business. But the Bible says, “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: . . . Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 2:4, 17
Some believe academic achievement gives them meaning, but the Bible says, “Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:15
How about money? “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?” Ecclesiastes 5:10–11
Then, is pleasure-seeking the answer, as the new generation suggests? “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:1
The Bible clearly denies all our ideas about the meaning of life. It does not involve hard work, family, education, career, or pleasure. Please don’t take me wrong. I’m not stating that diligent work, education, or family are unimportant. They just cannot be our meaning in life. So, what kind of life is truly meaningful?
Moses as a Child and Youth:
Born with a Purpose
There was a baby born with a very clear purpose in his life. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Hebrews 11:23. As we know well from the story, he was rescued miraculously by the princess of Egypt from the king’s decree to kill all the Israelite male babies.
It is not hard to imagine how Moses’ mother repeatedly told him about his miraculous rescue until he left for the Egyptian palace at the age of 12 so that he would remember that God had a special purpose for him. Indeed, Moses did not forget. He always remembered that he was born to rescue the Israelites from slavery.
“The elders of Israel were taught by angels that the time for their deliverance was near, and that Moses was the man whom God would employ to accomplish this work. Angels instructed Moses also that Jehovah had chosen him to break the bondage of His people. He, supposing that they were to obtain their freedom by force of arms, expected to lead the Hebrew host against the armies of Egypt, and having this in view, he guarded his affections, lest in his attachment to his foster mother or to Pharaoh he would not be free to do the will of God.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 245
With a clear dream, the young Moses worked hard. He studied hard and worked hard. As the Egyptian palace had chosen him to be the next Pharaoh, he could receive the highest education and training. This talented, intelligent, and passionate young man took every opportunity to be ready for the purpose of his life: to save Israel!
However, one day, all his efforts and dreams were denied. “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.” Exodus 2:11–15
As Moses had killed an Egyptian, a rumour spread in the kingdom that he was planning a coup. So, Moses had to escape from the country and never come back. His meaning of life seemed to be denied him. Everything he had done—his work, study, and efforts—to save his people seemed to be in vain. His dedication was for nothing. He lived to this point, always thinking he existed to save the Israelites.
He was at the age of 40 when this happened. It is not old, but not young enough to re-format the meaning of life. With a broken heart and being lost in the path of life, he had to find what made his life meaningful.
Moses as an Adult:
Called to Give Up on Peaceful Life
It was not easy to let go of his dreams, but he finally found a new meaning in life in a new land with new people. He became a shepherd, got married, and had children. He was happy with his peaceful life. He found the meaning of life in being a husband, a father, and a humble shepherd.
He was reaching the age of 80, and he thought he lived a good life. The ambition of his younger age remained a good memory. He wished to enjoy this simple life for the rest of his life. His life was valuable enough if he could be a good husband and a good father.
That is when God caused another dramatic turn in his life. God denied him the meaning of life that Moses had newly found. And He said, Moses’ purpose in life is to save Israel. “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:10
Moses did not want to go. He was happy with his life. He was afraid of change. So he refused the calling five times—not once but five times—despite God’s assurance and promises for each excuse Moses made (Exodus 3:11–4:17).
Well, why did God wait so long, then? Did He wait until Moses found a new purpose in life so that He could torture him with another dramatic change of life?
“Man would have dispensed with that long period of toil and obscurity, deeming it a great loss of time. But Infinite Wisdom called him who was to become the leader of his people to spend forty years in the humble work of a shepherd. The habits of caretaking, of self-forgetfulness and tender solicitude for his flock, thus developed, would prepare him to become the compassionate, longsuffering shepherd of Israel. No advantage that human training or culture could bestow, could be a substitute for this experience.
“Moses had been learning much that he must unlearn. The influences that had surrounded him in Egypt—the love of his foster mother, his own high position as the king’s grandson, the dissipation on every hand, the refinement, the subtlety, and the mysticism of a false religion, the splendor of idolatrous worship, the solemn grandeur of architecture and sculpture—all had left deep impressions upon his developing mind and had molded, to some extent, his habits and character. Time, change of surroundings, and communion with God could remove these impressions. It would require on the part of Moses himself a struggle as for life to renounce error and accept truth, but God would be his helper when the conflict should be too severe for human strength.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 247
When Moses ran away from Egypt, his life seemed to be lost, just like Joseph’s when he was sold to Egypt and when he was imprisoned. However, their lives were not off track. Their meaning of life had never changed and had always stayed the same. Even though they could not see it, God guided every event and stage of their lives toward the purpose they were born for. Moses’ time as a shepherd or Joseph’s time as a slave or prisoner seems to be a waste in human eyes. However, it was a necessary step toward their purpose, in God’s eyes.
There are moments in our lives when our actions appear meaningless and vain. However, let us remember, as long as we follow God, it is never a waste. Even when we feel lost, it is a step towards our meaning of life. “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isaiah 48:17
From Moses’ perspective, he might not have seen all of God’s providences. It could have looked like the meaning of life he had established after much disappointment was denied once again. It seemed like God was demanding he follow another purpose in life. Yet, once he accepted his mission, he carried it out faithfully.
Moses as an Older Adult:
Seemingly Meaningless Life
He spent another 40 years pursuing this new meaning of life—to save Israel. And how did it go? It was not an easy one. They kept complaining and murmuring, causing trouble and headaches. They never, never listened. And in the end, how many made it to Canaan? Only two! After all this hard work and sacrifice, only two! And even Moses himself was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. When he sat down to face the last moment of his life, he was all alone. No other human was there to witness his end.
From a human perspective, after 120 years of curves and challenges, his meaning in life seemed denied again. His works, efforts, and tears seemed all in vain. It looked like he had wasted his life for nothing, leaving nothing but a failure.
“In solitude Moses reviewed his life of vicissitudes and hardships since he turned from courtly honors and from a prospective kingdom in Egypt, to cast in his lot with God’s chosen people. He called to mind those long years in the desert with the flocks of Jethro, the appearance of the Angel in the burning bush, and his own call to deliver Israel. Again he beheld the mighty miracles of God’s power displayed in behalf of the chosen people, and His long-suffering mercy during the years of their wandering and rebellion. Notwithstanding all that God had wrought for them, notwithstanding his own prayers and labors, only two of all the adults in the vast army that left Egypt had been found so faithful that they could enter the Promised Land. As Moses reviewed the result of his labors, his life of trial and sacrifice seemed to have been almost in vain.
“Yet he did not regret the burdens he had borne. He knew that his mission and work were of God’s own appointing. When first called to become the leader of Israel from bondage, he shrank from the responsibility; but since he had taken up the work he had not cast aside the burden. Even when the Lord had proposed to release him, and destroy rebellious Israel, Moses could not consent. Though his trials had been great, he had enjoyed special tokens of God’s favor; he had obtained a rich experience during the sojourn in the wilderness, in witnessing the manifestations of God’s power and glory, and in the communion of His love; he felt that he had made a wise decision in choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 471
After many curves, Moses finally found the true meaning of life. It was not in numbers. It was not in the army. It was not at work. It was not in the stability of life. It was not in achievement. It was in walking with Jesus.
True Meaning of Life
Since I moved to Canada, I have never owned a car, not even to the moment as I am writing this article. Occasionally, I drive a rental car or another brethren’s car. When that happens, my wife would worry a lot about whether I would get into an accident, as it has been a long time since I drove a car in Japan. Then I used to answer: “Well if I can die soon, it’s a privilege for me to be on a fast track. I can skip the last day events and wake up during the special resurrection.”
But ever since I learned the story of Moses, I have never said it again. I learned that life is worth living because of the time we spend with God. In a human relationship, we love each other more as we spend more time together. Just as my fellowship with Canadian brethren are deeper today than when I attended the Canadian church for the first time, and just as my love towards my wife is deeper today than when I first met her, our love towards God gets deeper and deeper as we spend more time with God.
We do not need to find the meaning of life from a grand plan or achievement. We do not need to find the meaning of life from somewhere far away. Living today with God. Living today according to His plan. That is the only true meaning of our life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Moses’ life seemed to be in vain. It seemed that his meaning of life was denied and shifted multiple times. It seemed that his lifelong works had failed. However, Moses was happy. Moses found the true meaning of life. He walked every step of his life with God, which was enough. He did not need to see the result of his life. He did not need to know what his legacy was. He was with God. God had led his life. That is all he needed to know.
Moses might not have known, but we know today that God guided him every step of the way, even when it looked like he was lost. And we know that his life was not in vain. Indeed, his legacy became one of the most significant influences on humanity.
Let us leave the meaning of life in God’s hands. If we live according to His will today, He will use our life in the right place for the proper purpose, making our life meaningful.
“The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not realize that they are doing any special good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessing that will widen and deepen, and the blessed results they may never know until the day of final reward. They do not feel or know that they are doing anything great. They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success. They have only to go forward quietly, doing faithfully the work that God’s providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain. Their own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ; they are workers together with God in this life and are thus fitting for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come.” –Steps to Christ, p. 83
Though I am still young, God has already drastically changed my life several times. There have been curves, hills, and valleys. Life is unpredictable, and I am tempted to be afraid when I think about the future. Sometimes, I am tempted to think my current life is lost and wasted.
But if I can talk to myself from 10 years ago, I can confidently tell him: “God has been good to me. So do not be afraid.” So I am sure that if myself from 10 years later can talk to me today, he will say: “God has been good to me and will keep being good to me in the future. So, life is worth living, just because He lives.”
My dear brothers and sisters, the question, “What is the meaning of my life?” is one we grapple with repeatedly throughout our journey. When the question comes back to our hearts, let us remember that it is not ourselves who give meaning to our lives. It is not family, work, fame, honour, reputation, achievement, education, or anything else. It is God who gives meaning to our lives. It is neither our past nor our future that makes our lives meaningful. If we walk with God today, our lives have meaning. Let us be faithful to the duty God has laid on us today.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33–34
I would like to conclude with the Bible verse found in Isaiah 48:17, which says: “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Amen.
By Makoto Matsumoto