What would you answer to the question: “What is the purpose of your life?”

One day in 2020 just before Covid, as I sat at my small desk at work, I encountered a work problem that troubled me for almost a month. I was working on an account that was proving difficult to reconcile.

Now, I do not like problems; I do not think there is anybody in their right mind who likes or enjoys problems. But I will admit that I do enjoy solving problems (not all problems though).

As I was working on that particular account that morning – experiencing frustration – a certain Bible verse came to mind:

After clocking out from work that day, I went home meditating on that scripture. The thoughts that were ravaging my mind were of this sort: “This bothersome account shall pass away??! All these computers, desks, laptops, buildings, and all this money I work so hard to earn…shall pass away????!! Then what is the point of this life then??!”

The truth of that scripture hit me like a brick so much so that I have never recovered to date. From that day forward, my whole perspective on life changed. Gradually, I began to hold loosely and lightly so many things which meant almost the world to me while on the other hand, I began to esteem highly the word of God.

In a way, I felt as though I had just hit a gold mine, while at the same time, I felt as though my whole life had been a lie; that I had been cheated and deceived by the systems in world (I do not even know if that even makes sense).

And I do not mean to say that I thought that those things (mentioned above) were evil in themselves. I only realized that they had preeminence in my life and that is why this shook me if I am honest.

All my life, I thought that life was primarily about securing a decent job with a good pension plan, creating sufficient time to spend with my loved ones, and hoping to stick it out all the way till I was at least eighty years old – in good health. That was the plan; that was my plan… And if I am not wrong, I believe this is also the plan of many others hitherto.

But God interrupted – with a question that could only be answered by me…

And with His perspective on how He meant life to be from the beginning – an abundant life by which He had preeminence.

And let us just say that ever since that day, my life took a different turn, a turn which has been nothing short of an interesting adventure.

Shortly after that, I resigned from my full-time job and set on a journey to discover the word that never fails, and to follow that glorious light I had discovered.

This was not an emotional decision, nor was it an uninformed decision, but a decision and resolution that was made after extensive prayer and seeking God’s guidance.

Turns out, He had some work for me to do which would require that I actually rely on His word – not for just a day, or a week or a month – but on a daily basis.

And again, it has been an adventure since – I have experienced God in ways I at times just laugh by myself in bewilderment and perplexity because there has not even been a single day or circumstance when or where His word has failed. His word has been solid as a rock!

Looking at this whole journey now, from the perspective I had before that Bible verse epiphany, I find that, in life, most of us do not pause to ask ourselves: why we do what we do, why we live our lives the way we live them, why we live where we live, why we marry who we marry, does the life we live have any eternal value? And if it does, how does it count? Etc… because for many, life just happens.

Yet, that should not be so.

Over the short period of time I have gotten to study the word of God, I have learnt that God is deliberate and there is – absolutely – nothing He does by chance.

He is intentional, purposeful, and orderly. Which in turn has made me realize, as well, that He desires the same of my life and is more than willing to help me live life in a way that: when all is said and done, there will be absolutely no regrets – none whatsoever.

A life like that of Paul where I will one day declare with joy that, I have fought a good fight, I finished my course and I have kept the faith. (Only, I do not know what my exiting remarks from the world will be… I might end up writing a thesis.)

Anyhow, everyday, I realize that this scripture…heaven and earth shall pass away but God’s word shall never pass away is honestly one of the weightiest scriptures in the Bible (not that all other scriptures are not weighty)…because it basically means that silver and gold will pass away (yet this is what the whole world is striving to attain, some, even going to the extent of stealing, killing, and cheating to acquire) and, they will not pass away in some distant future somewhere but very, very soon.

The question, therefore, we need to ask ourselves then, is, “if all my self-worth and life’s effort is geared toward all such things, seeing that God has declared with finality that they will pass away, then what is the purpose of my life and life in general?”

And to make matters — I do not even know whether to write interesting or worse— the Bible further states that :

2 Peter 3 (Amplified Bible)

7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities,
12 While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire? [Isa. 34:4.]
13 But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide. [Isa. 65:17; 66:22.]

However, even with all the doom and gloom that shall come upon the world, the Bible still offers the hope that:

1 John 2

16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

Leaving you and I with the questions, how then ought we to live our lives? What then must we do to ensure that we do not gain the whole world then lose our souls in the end? What must we do to gain eternal life?

The answer is simple: Enter into the Narrow Door

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Okay… Let’s just be honest, whenever most people hear anything about religion, their first reaction and instinct is probably to cringe or brush off the whole matter entirely.

Why? Most likely because it is a subject that is associated with extreme cases of fanaticism, it brings about a lot of conflicts and controversies, and even offends easily.

Religion is famously known for: manipulation, stagnation, repression, ignorance, bigotry and is too often a threat to liberty. And rightly so. I do agree. With that said, I recommend you to read two of my posts as well as encourage you to do a personal, extensive, and honest research on your own regarding this matter. Why?

As intellectuals (critical thinkers), I believe we owe it to ourselves to interrogate, examine, and ask hard questions regarding matters touching on faith rather than choosing to ignore them or even worse— follow blind faith. Click here for the first post.

Who speaks the truth with regards to a genuine, sincere and true relationship with God? Is it Buddha? Muhammad? Jesus? Zoroaster? Confucius? Joseph Smith? Guru Nanak? Krishna? Among others? Find out on this second post:

My heart overflows with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalms 45:1

Thank you for reading this blog. Feel free to share it with others whenever and wherever.🙂

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