Living with Meaning
Many people make it through each day living off of something that is able to be stripped from them in a moment’s notice. They live life with their riches, their good looks, their positions or their talent. None of those things are bad, but they can ALL be lost.
What happens when those things are suddenly and unexpectedly taken away? Jobs come and go, looks are fleeting and injuries can prevent us from using talents that give people meaning.
What then? What about life then?
How can you live your life with meaning so that when people look beyond our abilities, beyond our wealth, beyond the position or power that they see the truth about what is at our very core?
Living a meaningful life will allow us to live beyond death when our bodies have been placed in the ground and our life has come to an end.
How then do we live with meaning without riches, without good looks, without position and talent? (Please don’t get me wrong, those things are not bad, but those things can change in an instant, so don’t get dependent on them.)
- We live with meaning when we show compassion. Compassion is needed by all of us but so many of us are stingy with it. We are greedy and hold on to it with all our might because of past hurts and troubles. Move past the hurt and show compassion daily. Imagine if Christ had decided to hold on to the hurt when people didn’t thank Him, or show gratitude. He showed compassion daily
- We live with meaning when we glorify Christ in all we say and do. If we decided to be conscious of the thought “does this glorify Christ?” we would make different choices, we would seek wisdom from His Word and the love of Christ would be seen in every area of our life
- We live with meaning when we contribute to others. I’m not just talking in the finance area. We need to give of ourselves to our families, to friends, to “others” and do so without hesitation. Your contributions to this world will have a lasting effect! Your attitude and the way you contribute to this world will always be remembered. They will be either positive or negative and that is completely your choice. I hope you’ll contribute great things to your corner of the world
- We live with meaning when we spread joy to others. JOY and happiness are very different things. Happiness comes from things happening around you. JOY comes directly from Jesus Himself! When the tears fall, we can spread joy to others by showing our faith in Christ through the trial. We can spread joy by showing encouragement, love and tenderness to family and friends. We can spread joy by living a life of Faith and victory instead of giving the impression that we are living a defeated life. JOY is Jesus, Others and then Yourself.
- We live with meaning when we keep a positive attitude. We absolutely cannot change many circumstances, but you can change the attitude that you face them with. We can waste days, months and even years wondering “why this happened to me” or we can shed the tears, release the anger and move on with the great things God has waiting for us! Again, our choice.
- We live with meaning when we enjoy the NOW. God gave us right now! We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Enjoy the blessings we are surrounded with every S I N G L E day! Enjoy the blessing of NOW. Find the good in the Moment, it is right there waiting to be enjoyed!
These are just a few things that will help you live a life of meaning.
You don’t have to wonder about “the meaning” of life, just live a life of meaning!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you live a life of meaning. What do you do? What do you teach your children? Do you let negativity steal your joy of having a Christ filled life?
Don’t miss a single encouraging article!
© 2015 – 2016, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
You don’t have to wonder about “the meaning” of life, just live a life of meaning! –Love it! So true. Our legacy is not going to be what we leave behind but who we leave behind. Our love and compassion for people will be what is remembered most. Thanks for sharing!
I love how Living a life of meaning means acting out the Fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives! This is something I try to do all the time.
Brandi @ penguinsinpink recently posted..Summer Reading 2015
So much truth in this post. Some people have all of the things you mentioned: money, status, jobs, accolades, etc, yet they are miserable. They feel empty, yet they can’t figure out why. Only living for Jesus feels the void in our lives.
Mary Collins recently posted..Christian Prayer Books That Get Results
Living life with meaning can only be done through Christ. Don’t you wish we could get this message to the world? To be positive, spread joy and compassion, to live in the now…such good points. I choose to live with meaning!
Pamela recently posted..Sheltering Through Kindness (Fill A Bucket)
This is an incredible post! SO meaningful! We are all searching for purpose, we have to realize it comes from Christ!
Roxanne recently posted..Real Men Engage Pt. 2
Joy was actually my focus word for this year. I’m light years away from mastering it and struggle a lot with a negative attitude and complaining spirit, but recently I read an article that talked about just doing the next thing. When my perspective is one task at a time, then my tots shouting “Mommy!” thousands of times a day doesn’t seem as frustrating. I definitely have lots to learn from you!
Jelli recently posted..How to Change a Life
These are great reminders! I think showing compassion is what stood out to me. We never know what people are going through until we walk a mile in their shoes. Yet God is good and His promises are true! Our God is faithful!
Jonathan @ Eaglesoaringhigher recently posted..The No Spend Challenge – Day 23: Get Free Money
How very true, Marie. We will be traveling this week to celebrate the passing of my husband’s grandfather. He was a good man who loved the Lord and his family, and we celebrate because he is no longer pain and is with Jesus. Everything can be taken away from us so why not live in joy and help spread that joy to others. Your ministry and you rock! Thanks for the encouraging words. Blessings! #BloggerCareGroup
Kelly @RaisingSamuels recently posted..Believe Storybook by: Randy Frazee, with Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton. Illustrated by Steve Adams (Book Review)
When we get caught in wanting answers and knowledge we miss out on the whole point… such a great message you’re sharing today!
Marissa
This post is beautiful! Truth and meaning in life can all be found in Christ Jesus!
good things to think about, meaning and life! I am trying to keep a better attitude, especially when some one is negative about a good thing.
Alison Shaffer recently posted..Mabel’s Labels Fall 2015 Collection adds NEW Little Kids Personalized combo
This is a beautiful post full of meaning and living for Christ as we share His meaning is a goal of mine
I love this – “don’t wonder about the meaning of life, live a life with meaning”. Thank you for this post.
Melanie recently posted..DIY Calm Down Jar
I love this, I have found I must be intentional in what I do. Love the phrase, live life with meaning!
Whew – glorifying Christ in ALL we do is a tough one to me, because I know how often I fall short of that! Thankful for His grace and forgiveness!
Caroline @ In Due Time recently posted..There is More
I love #2. I believe that life without Christ is a life without meaning. Seek first the kingdom of God. I think once we have Christ in our life, since we seek to glorify Him, everything else automatically follows. Since Christ is love, we learn to love others, we learn the language of love, compassion, and kindness. These are qualities that makes life meaningful, qualities that are simply Heavenly. But what makes the language of love, compassion, and kindness even more amazing is when you are able to share that with others under all circumstances (even when you are feeling down) because through Christ everything is possible.
Melissa recently posted..Faith
Nothing I can do makes it meaningful. It’s all about Mr relationship with Christ. HE gives me meaning.
Laura Hix recently posted..A Friend In Me #BookReview #FCBlogger
I feel like when we live with meaning we fulfill our purpose no matter how small our act is. 🙂
Lux recently posted..Have Loved Deeply, Been Hurt, Loved Again
Something I think is
Something I think is important is meaning what we say and only saying what we mean. Thinking about our relationship with others here.
Sandra @ Sandra’s Ark recently posted..Pondering the Psalms – Psalm 34
Yes!! We should all desire to live a meaningful life and you gave some practical ways to do this especially glorifying
Jesus in all that we do.
Great article, Carry on doing what you are doing. Stay REAL and incorporate positive vibes in your life to witness your dreams coming to reality.
Amazer recently posted..Law of Attraction and Relationships: From A to Z