A Meaningful Life

[FlatpickingJD]

Quite some time ago, I posted a thread down below where I asked about living a meaningful life. I'll try it again up here, hopefully without references to pop culture.

What does a meaningful life mean to you?

Do you feel you're living a life that matters? In what ways do you think you could make it more so?

Is it a matter of perspective, is it actions/deeds, is it living a Godly life, is it an avocation or a vocation? Or is it something else entirely?

 

[ido]

Great thread!

Living my faith is one of the biggest things that makes my life meaningful to me. I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven last summer and that book really spoke to me. I've always tried to be kind/generous to others, but that book made me realize that we truly don't know just how our actions/words can effect others.

Whether it is my family, friends, or a stranger on the street - I try hard to see their needs and find ways to help them fulfill their needs. I'm not a pushover and I have boundaries so that I do not get caught up in a co-dependency situation. But, for me, my life is most meaningful when I'm helping others.

Of course, my kids give great meaning to my life. They're my two greatest accomplishments! I try my best to be a good mom to them. When they grow up, I want them to be able to look at me and see a woman of faith, strength, generosity, humility, and perserverence. And have them emulate those qualities. Then my life will have been meaningful.

 

[dluvs2trvl]

Living a meaningful life means making a difference in the lives of others. I think I live a meaningful life in that I care about people, I volunteer in my community, I help where I can and where I'm needed, etc. I would like to live more of a meaningful life though...some day I'd like to own my own business so I can set my own schedule and spend more time volunteering in my community.

I think people definitely can use their vocation to make a difference in the world - mine just isn't one of those - at least not right now...

Some day I'd also like to be a foster parent or at least provide respite care for foster children.

 

[ido]

More thoughts on the matter.

Do you feel you're living a life that matters? In what ways do you think you could make it more so?

In some ways yes and in some ways I definitely could do more that would make my life more meaningful. I get a lot of valuable feedback from those around me that I'm a good listener/problem solver - so I know I'm making an impact. But, I would like to expand my territory, so to speak, and make an impact on more of my community. It's difficult for me to do that right now since I'm a single mom, but it's a goal I have for myself and I continuously look for ways to creep towards achieving it.

Is it a matter of perspective, is it actions/deeds, is it living a Godly life, is it an avocation or a vocation? Or is it something else entirely?

I think that if we are living by faith - and our actions/deeds reflect that - then our perspective will be that our life is meaningful. It would be awesome if we could all work at jobs that somehow contributed to society or use our free time to volunteer in our communities. But, I think in a way our jobs are still our mission field in that we interact with co-workers, clients, etc. on a regular basis and can make an impact on those people in some way, shape, or form.

Of course, there are people that measure how meaninful life is by how much material worth/possessions they have. I don't need material wealth - beyond having steady, gainful employment and enough income to live comfortably - in order to feel like my life is being well spent.

 

[FlatpickingJD]

. . . I think that if we are living by faith - and our actions/deeds reflect that - then our perspective will be that our life is meaningful. It would be awesome if we could all work at jobs that somehow contributed to society or use our free time to volunteer in our communities. But, I think in a way our jobs are still our mission field in that we interact with co-workers, clients, etc. on a regular basis and can make an impact on those people in some way, shape, or form.

This is about the only thing I agree with Opus Dei on, at least as I understand their philosophy: that we are all holy and by our work are glorifying God. I think it's easier for me to see the glory to God of other's work than my own. I look at something a master carpenter has built and am amazed; I watch the way a tailor adjusts and measures clothes and am impressed. Teachers floor me and stay at home parents even more so. I shuffle paper. It matters to someone, it's just hard to see.

Of course, there are people that measure how meaninful life is by how much material worth/possessions they have. I don't need material wealth - beyond having steady, gainful employment and enough income to live comfortably - in order to feel like my life is being well spent.

I'd like to earn more, and I think most of us would. But if I made twice as much money as I do now, I wouldn't make me happier - - it would likely increase the anxiety because more pressure would result and I'd have to work that much more - - shuffling more paper.

 

[ido]

This is about the only thing I agree with Opus Dei on, at least as I understand their philosophy: that we are all holy and by our work are glorifying God. I think it's easier for me to see the glory to God of other's work than my own. I look at something a master carpenter has built and am amazed; I watch the way a tailor adjusts and measures clothes and am impressed. Teachers floor me and stay at home parents even more so. I shuffle paper. It matters to someone, it's just hard to see.

We all have talents that can be put to use. Sometimes, tho, our talents don't seem obvious to us. We take them for granted and don't realize how what we do impacts others. I also don't think that our jobs limit our ability to make a difference - maybe we just make the difference in a more subtle way. My divorce attorney shared Jeremiah 29:11 with me when I went for my initial consult. I don't think he had a clue how important that verse would become to me - I think he was just trying to offer me some support/comfort. One wouldn't normally think of a divorce attorney as doing God's work - but there it is and no one can take away what he did for me.

I sell electronics components for a living. I'm certainly not changing the world one memory chip at a time. But, I have a co-worker who has recently begun talking about Christianity with me b/c she saw the "Power of a Praying Parent" calendar on my desk and started reading it.

These are the ways that I see our acts/deeds living out in our daily life.

I'd like to earn more, and I think most of us would. But if I made twice as much money as I do now, I wouldn't make me happier - - it would likely increase the anxiety because more pressure would result and I'd have to work that much more - - shuffling more paper.

I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of earning more money. But, I also know that I would actually end up using more of it to give back. I am friends with a couple that are very well off. I always wondered how they "gave back" other than through some generous gifts to our church. He's a GC and I learned a few years ago that he's involved in the Prison Ministry at my home church. He witnesses to men while they're in prison, then puts them through a trade when they are released and employs them. They are free to stay on with him once they are done with the training or they can find a job somewhere else if they want. He pays for all of the training and employs them while they're learning. I think this is an awesome way to give back and know that he has helped to change more than a few lives.

So - maybe our happiness increases b/c our ability to have an impact on society increases as well.

 

[ido]

Also - I do think we have the ability to work more, but also more efficiently - thereby making our lives a little less complicated.

Live simply, so that others may simply live.

 

[FlatpickingJD]

We all have talents that can be put to use. Sometimes, tho, our talents don't seem obvious to us. We take them for granted and don't realize how what we do impacts others. I also don't think that our jobs limit our ability to make a difference - maybe we just make the difference in a more subtle way. My divorce attorney shared Jeremiah 29:11 with me when I went for my initial consult. I don't think he had a clue how important that verse would become to me - I think he was just trying to offer me some support/comfort. One wouldn't normally think of a divorce attorney as doing God's work - but there it is and no one can take away what he did for me.

I sell electronics components for a living. I'm certainly not changing the world one memory chip at a time. But, I have a co-worker who has recently begun talking about Christianity with me b/c she saw the "Power of a Praying Parent" calendar on my desk and started reading it.

These are the ways that I see our acts/deeds living out in our daily life.

So, if I understand correctly . . it's not the actual work that might be important or meaningful, but what we're doing as we do our work. that by offering an ear or shoulder for our co-workers, by offering support to them, we're doing something more meaningful. Hmm. Maybe that's what I admire in teachers: not the actual stuffing education into the kids, but opening their minds to something and guiding them along the path.

So - maybe our happiness increases b/c our ability to have an impact on society increases as well.

This is what I was driving at. We're more likely to be happy in our lives and work if we feel it's making some sort of impact, or are affecting people positively and for the better.

 

[ido]

So, if I understand correctly . . it's not the actual work that might be important or meaningful, but what we're doing as we do our work. that by offering an ear or shoulder for our co-workers, by offering support to them, we're doing something more meaningful. Hmm. Maybe that's what I admire in teachers: not the actual stuffing education into the kids, but opening their minds to something and guiding them along the path.

Yes - but to expand it a little more, everyone that we come into contact with on a daily basis is an opportunity for us to make an impact. Have you ever been to a church that has a sign at their exit that says You Are Now Entering the Mission Field? Our entire community is our mission field, IMO. The cashier at the grocery store, the person next to you in traffic that wants to merge over, and so on. How we choose to interact with these people can make a difference, even if it's not something that seems like a big deal to us. Teaching is an awesome profession - but not all teachers make an impact. So, I definitely think it is more about the person and their mindset than just an actual profession.

This is what I was driving at. We're more likely to be happy in our lives and work if we feel it's making some sort of impact, or are affecting people positively and for the better.

Absolutely. I'm a firm believer in "pay it forward". I do things for others b/c I've had done for me and I want to bless someone else the way I've been blessed. However, I don't want the kudos for something I've done, I want people to know that I've done it out of Christ-like love and compassion. If they see Christ when they look at me, then I am happy.

 

[dluvs2trvl]

Great thread...sorry I didn't contribute anything more but you guys have said everything else I would've said

 

[ido]

I'm starting to think I would have made a great hippie (well, except for the free love part). LOL

 

[GritsnGrace]

As a mother, the main purpose of my life (well, not the only one) has been to raise my children to be Godly adults. I have partially accomplished that goal. They are both adults, and I am still working, and praying on the other. My son, I think has a strong faith. It got him through two tours in Iraq. He has a Godly wife, that he adores, and is a wonderful girl. If I can get my daughter to the same level, I know my purpose will have been fulfilled!

 

[Bridgit]

Well, for me, having a meaningful life is being obedient to God. God has created me to share Him with others and to have a close relationship with Him. So, wherever the circumstances of life take me, I will tell people about His love and gift of eternal life. I will strive to know Him more and get closer to Him and I will learn each day to let Him live through me so that others can see Him.

 

[Jenster]

What does a meaningful life mean to you?

Do you feel you're living a life that matters? In what ways do you think you could make it more so?

Is it a matter of perspective, is it actions/deeds, is it living a Godly life, is it an avocation or a vocation? Or is it something else entirely?

This a good question, FJD -- it's really made me think.

I don't have a firm, know-it-in-my-gut answer. In my head, I believe that a meaningful life is one lived in close relationship with the Lord, enjoying His company, doing His will, being guided by the Holy Spirit in everyday interactions. But I'm not "there" yet. My quiet times are inconsistent and I get easily drawn away by a lot of things, some important and some not. I do serve Him in some ways and I am active in helping people, but it's not the on-fire relationship that I think brings a sense of "YES, this is the life I was meant to live!"

I used to put a LOT of stock in my accomplishments = meaning. To some extent, I still do. There are certain skills that I have that I love using and that leave me feeling very fulfilled.

But having been in the working world for quite some time, I realize that the high I get from doing my best work is dampened considerably by all the junk that comes along with working for a corporation, with other people, etc. So, there are moments of "meaningfulness" in work, but they come infrequently.

And the kind of meaning that I *could* get -- from managing a team well or helping my direct reports -- well, quite frankly, I'm not sure I feel that much meaningfulness coming from it. Again, in my head, I know I'm having an effect as a manager. People do thank me for being calm and organized and helpful, etc. But in terms of *fulfillment* ... I feel I'm merely being "obedient" in doing my current job. So, that's something I've been thinking about and wrestling with. I don't have any answers right now...

 

[covenantwmn]

Like most here, Christ makes my life worth living, and if i've done anything for the kingdom, then it's worthwhile. Having raised two children to the best of my ability to know and serve the Lord (sadly, my son is following his own path), and trying to serve where I can in His name makes life matter. I can make it matter more by getting more involved in my church and hope to do that. Good thread.

 

[Mark2010]

This frustrates me at times, as I feel like perhaps I should be doing more to make a major difference in the world. I DO have beliefs and principles that I live by.

I do my job well and am always trying to help and encourage others in whatever way I can. It's usually little things, not premeditated stuff. I don't feel my job is necessarily more insignificant than others, but yet a part of me longs to do something great, to be a hero, to make a lasting difference. Not sure how to accomplish all that.

So, as the saying goes, we live quiet lives of desperation. *sigh*

 

[eatenbylocusts]

I could probably be doing more, but I realize that in whatever capacity we're working we have the potential to touch someone's life and show them God's love. We do need to be open to that.

My most important job is that of mom and I'm sure I could be doing it better. My job is meaningful and I sometimes forget that. I have the opportunity to care for people and alleviate suffering when they're feeling their worst. I do things that make them feel more human just by washing their back, giving them a clean gown and sometimes wiping their butt. No joke. It bugs me when nurses or aides talk about the patients who ask for help. How demeaning is it to ask for that kind of help?

 

[FlatpickingJD]

Who Am I?

[John the Baptist] said: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
John 1:23

God said, "I AM WHO I AM." Abraham said, "I am old." Jacob said, "I am Esau your firstborn." Moses said, "I am not eloquent." Gideon said, "I am the least in my father's house." Ruth said, "I am a foreigner." Nehemiah said, "I am doing a great work." Job said, "I am a brother of jackals." Jesus said, "I am the door, the light, the bread, the Good Shepherd." Paul said, "I am the chief of sinners."

How would you answer the question, "Who are you?" When John the Baptist was asked that question, he spoke without hesitation: "I am the voice." John was not confused and he did not stutter. He knew exactly who he was and what he was called to do. He was "the voice." His calling was to speak—to announce the coming of the kingdom of God and of the Messiah of Israel. It didn't bother John that he wasn't the Messiah. The only thing that would have bothered him was not to speak clearly. John was a satisfied man, confident and content in his knowledge of himself.

Can you say the same about yourself? Take a moment and fill in the blank: "I am _______________________
." Then decide, "How happy am I with my answer?" If you're not sure about either, ask God for His insight.

Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us. -A. W. Tozer

I don't think this is what you had in mind D, but the question seems appropriate in this thread. I think that if each of us can answer the question, we'll find our route to a meaningful life. I tend to look to my work for fulfillment, but that's not where I find fulfillment: I find the most contentment in helping and serving others which, in a small way I think may serve God. My answer to what makes a life meaningful is that what you do, your actions and behaviors, should help others - even if incrementally. It's not a question of grand gestures or actions. The smile to the lonely, the hug to the distressed, raising children to serve the Lord all make life meaningful. And, yes, in at least a small way show God's grace and love.

 

[ido]

I don't think this is what you had in mind D, but the question seems appropriate in this thread. I think that if each of us can answer the question, we'll find our route to a meaningful life. I tend to look to my work for fulfillment, but that's not where I find fulfillment: I find the most contentment in helping and serving others which, in a small way I think may serve God. My answer to what makes a life meaningful is that what you do, your actions and behaviors, should help others - even if incrementally. It's not a question of grand gestures or actions. The smile to the lonely, the hug to the distressed, raising children to serve the Lord all make life meaningful. And, yes, in at least a small way show God's grace and love.

Awesome, awesome post.

 

[GritsnGrace]

I don't think this is what you had in mind D, but the question seems appropriate in this thread. I think that if each of us can answer the question, we'll find our route to a meaningful life. I tend to look to my work for fulfillment, but that's not where I find fulfillment: I find the most contentment in helping and serving others which, in a small way I think may serve God. My answer to what makes a life meaningful is that what you do, your actions and behaviors, should help others - even if incrementally. It's not a question of grand gestures or actions. The smile to the lonely, the hug to the distressed, raising children to serve the Lord all make life meaningful. And, yes, in at least a small way show God's grace and love.

Awesome, awesome post.

I second that!!