juicy bits

the real meaning of life

my homegroup is pondering the question, "what is the real meaning of life?" spurred on by this book. the following is my own answer to that question:

'what is the real meaning of life?'

the obvious answer for any christian is 'to love and live by/in/for Jesus.' but why? what is below the surface of this statement? what does it mean 'to live is Christ; to die is gain?' what does it mean 'to love one another?' what does 'for i am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer i who live, but Christ who lives within me,' mean?

what is the real meaning of life? is it to love without fear of rejection or consequence? to speak without fear of rejection or consequence? is it to live life like you are already dead; that is, to live without fear of anything or anyone and what they may do to you?

is the real purpose of life to sprint out an incandescent ascent, aspiring to the heights of service and experience in Christ? or is it to make a constant upward climb by submission to His leading and perfecting you to the pinnacle of His higher purposes for you? is there a difference? surely, "my best" is not all that is necessary, but rather, His best in and through me. the best i can hope to be is so focused on Him and what He is doing and saying that He makes me part of the action.

love to read/hear your thoughts.