The Meaning of LifeSample

We need relationships. We need to have the assurance that we belong to and are being loved by God, our family or a group of people. Knowing this gives us a sense of belonging.

Three primary relationships are essential to life having meaning.

We are God’s family

Throughout the Old Testament, it is made clear that God is a Father. But it was through Jesus' coming that God was most clearly revealed to us as a Father. Wherever there is a Father, there is a family. In Galatians 4:6-8 (BSB), we read that we are adopted as sons and that the Holy Spirit cries out into our hearts, “Abba, Father!”

When we read research on the role of a father in relationships, we begin to understand the centrality of God as a Father in our lives. In the same way that dysfunctional fatherhood destroys the lives of children, a deep relationship with our heavenly Father gives us meaning, belonging, intimacy, and security.

We were created to live in deep and intimate fellowship with God the Father. This gives meaning to life.

God gave us the Body of Christ

As Christians, we are part of the Body of Christ. The meaning of being part of this is very well expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 and 18-21 (BSB): The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Consider also verses 18-21 (BSB): But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

In the Body of Christ, we have fellowship. Within this fellowship, we find protection, support, and the enjoyment of all the benefits that come with living in community with others.

God put us in families

Marriage and family were created by God so that we can have fellowship, care, accountability, a safe place, deep personal relationships, and a place where we can be accepted for who we are.

When marriages and families are destroyed, people end up in the most vicious cycles of pain, violence, rebellion, hopelessness, loneliness, rejection, insecurity, and destruction. With the destruction comes a very real sense that all that is beautiful and precious has been lost.