What is the purpose in life for those who declare Jesus Christ as their Lord? How, then, should we live? If we spend our lives pursuing the same things as those who reject Christ, what then is the point of our commitment to Him? There has to be something different about the way we live. The world around us is caught up in a selfish pursuit to find pleasure, safety, and comfort.
Is that all there is? Is that the reason Christ died for us? There has to be more. Somewhere along the line, we lost track of what it means to live a life wholly devoted to Christ and began living a life devoted to our comfort and happiness. If we don’t return to living for Jesus, the consequences will be grave and eternal.
Particularly for those of us who live in a Western context, it’s all but impossible to not get swept along in the culture. For decades, even generations now, society has encouraged us to pursue the good life, acquire as much as we can, seek comfort, find pleasure. After a long day at work, the whole point is to relax and numb your mind for a while. Except there’s got to be more. If we spend our life in selfish pursuits, in what way can we call ourselves a follower of Jesus? This can’t be the life to which He has called us. So, the question still begs to be answered, “How, then, should we live?”
Distractions fill our world. Televisions. Smart Phones. Texts. Emails. Advertising. All day long, people and things are clamoring for our attention. More often than not, we give in to the siren calls of distraction. We seek anything to keep us from having to deal with reality. Reality is harsh. It demands something of and from us. It’s easier to just ignore it for as long as we can and live in blissful ignorance. But this isn’t any way to live, and it certainly isn’t the calling of a disciple of Jesus.
Our time here is very short. We have a finite amount of time to accomplish the mission given to us by our Savior. He said to go and tell everyone about Him (Matthew 28:19-20). James instructs us to keep ourselves unstained by this world (James 1:27). In other words, don’t live like everyone else. Don’t find your purpose and pleasure in the things of this world. For as John tells us, anyone who loves this world, or the things in this world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).
How then should we live? What can we do differently? Begin today to reorient your life around Jesus. Want to relax? Pick up your Bible and read. Learn about God’s love, mercy, and power. If you want to “zone out” for a bit, why not sit quietly in God’s presence? Let Him recharge you.
Turn off your television and computer. Put away the smartphone. Reconnect with the beauty of nature and the simple things in life. Rediscover the pleasure of talking with friends and family. In everything you do, think of Christ. Invite Him into the moment with you. Learn to infuse Jesus into every conversation, activity, and thought. Love others more than you do yourself. Practice extraordinary generosity with your time and money. Love God and serve others. Let that be the purpose of your life. It is to this we have all been called.