The Bible character Job was a man that had much wealth with regard to possessions and, from an earthly perspective, with regard to his family. In but a short time, however, he lost it all. He did not understand why he lost it all in the way that he did, he only knew that it was now gone. When the dust settled (so to speak), Job lamented it all, asking for what purpose was he born.

That is an interesting question to ponder for a moment or two. If one were to ask you “For what purpose were you born?” how would you answer? You may have to think on this a bit, and then when you answer, you might offer an answer (answers) with a tinge of doubt.

The meaning of life in the physical realm is not so easily discerned. There are many who seek to establish their own meaning, but since there is much difficulty finding and keeping employment, tending to one’s obligations with life and responsibility, one hardly has time to think of questions of this sort. But considering questions like this they will, especially when life has begun to reach into the retirement years.

Job desired to understand, but clarity escaped him. He did only what any of us can do; he came to rely on God in a special way that he previously failed to grasp. We, too, must rely on the Creator for such answers. We may never experience what Job experienced, but whether our experience is great or small, reliance is the key to all.

Each of us assigns ourselves a meaning; the problem with such an assignment is that we merely guess, assigning something that is of particular interest. In the end – was there (is there) any real meaning to my life? The answer is yes, and the answer is located in Matthew 22:34-40. This approach to life will certainly make a difference in the lives of other people, and by a standard that is not of this world.