How to Live a Meaningful LifeSample

The Search for Meaning 

We all want meaningful, fulfilling lives. But how do we get there? How do we know where to invest our limited time and energy here on earth? 

Maybe we’ve made it a little more complicated than it needs to be. We tend to search for happiness and purpose as if they were a destination we might find if we play our cards right. We put our hope in getting the next right job or promotion. Or maybe we base our purpose on relationships, so we long for a spouse or a family to give us the meaningful lives we crave. 

But what if the meaningful life we dream of isn’t built on the mountaintop moments but on the everyday, mundane memories we make? What if a meaningful life isn’t something we chase after, hoping to find—but something within reach every day of our lives? 

By choosing to follow Jesus, our lives already have clear meaning and significant purpose: He invites us in Matthew 28:18-20 to be a part of a movement to tell the world about His goodness. 

He also gives us pretty clear instructions on how to spend our lives here on earth. When asked what’s the most important thing we should do, Jesus replied with two commandments: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.  

He gives us meaning by giving us a mission. What’s interesting is that psychologists will tell you similar things. 

If you’re searching for happiness, compassion is a pretty great place to start. A group of researchers performed brain scans on people after they did something compassionate for someone else, and they found that the brain responded in the same way as eating a sugary dessert. Why? Because compassion stimulates the part of our brain that triggers reward or pleasure, so when we are compassionate, our brain literally sends feel-good chemicals throughout our body, motivating us to do it again.  

So, if you’re searching for meaning, you can find it by pursuing God and by cultivating an others-first mindset—putting the needs of others before yourself. 

How can you do that? First, consider how generously God pours compassion over you every day. When we receive His love, mercy, grace, and compassion ourselves, we’re more likely to extend it to others. Just look at how much the Father loves you: 

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 NLT 

When we receive that compassion for ourselves and then extend it to others, we’re on the path to a meaningful life. Over the next few days, we’ll look at a few stories of ordinary people who made some others-first decisions that brought deep meaning to their lives. 

Pray: God, thank You for giving my life meaning when I choose to follow Jesus. Thank You for Your unending love, grace, compassion, and mercy. Help me to fully receive it so that I can extend it to others. Show me how to cultivate a meaningful life in the big moments and the small ones, and help me love You and others with my whole heart. Use my life to make a difference for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

P.S. You can learn more about the upcoming stories on season 3 of the You’ve Heard It Said podcast.