The Truth of Life
Introduction

As another year passes, we’re left pondering: where do we find meaning in life? When everything is stripped away—our achievements, relationships, and possessions—what remains of our purpose? Some might point to successes, family, or loved ones as their answer, but is that simply because there’s nothing more to claim? If these are the sources of meaning, yet we cease to exist one day, does it truly matter? Others might argue it’s about what we leave behind, but does that make us mere participants in an endless cycle, trying to pass goodness to future generations? If so, the cycle seems broken—humanity doesn’t appear to be improving.

If legacy defines life’s meaning, what about those dealt an unfair hand? The handicapped, the mentally ill, those born into poverty or abuse, the innocent imprisoned, or the child who lives only a few years—are their lives meaningless by this standard? If we measure purpose by legacy or achievement, we risk dismissing the inherent value of those who, through no fault of their own, cannot triumph in ways society celebrates.

True meaning and purpose extend far beyond the temporary pleasures this world offers. Without this understanding, we risk missing life’s deeper essence.

The meaning of life remains elusive until we confront the ultimate questions: What happens when we leave this earth? Is there an afterlife? Is there a God? And if so, what is His purpose, and what does He require of us? Without an afterlife, life becomes fleeting and insignificant. My father has passed, and while I treasure his memory, I know that when my sisters and I are gone, those memories will fade, as if he had never been.

Perhaps life’s meaning isn’t something we define for ourselves but something far greater. Maybe it lies beyond this world, with this life serving as a wilderness—sometimes obscuring the truth and other times revealing it, like light breaking through the shadowy trees of a jungle.

No matter your journey—whether marked by success or failure, wealth or poverty, happiness or sorrow—everything will one day be stripped away. We leave this earth alone, taking nothing with us, and face a profound question: Did we live with true meaning, or did we exchange it chasing fleeting pleasures and self-defined purpose, missing the opportunity to uncover life’s true calling?

Perhaps, instead, we will rejoice, knowing we are finally going home, having embraced the purpose for which we were created—leaving this world behind while guiding others toward the path of true life. A life defined not by clinging to legacies that may lead to dead ends, but by pointing to the ultimate source of meaning and direction.

What gives your life meaning—something that endures beyond your brief time on earth? King Solomon, with his vast kingdom, immense wealth, and the ability to fulfill every desire, discovered a sobering truth. Everything under the sun is ultimately meaningless, a repetition of what has been and will be again. True meaning, he realized, is found only in God.

God never intended for us to anchor our lives here; we were created to find true life in Him. This world distracts us from that truth, but God calls us to break free from its illusions and discover His purpose for us. This section invites you to explore life’s meaning through a biblical lens, uncovering the greater story God has written for you.

"If we don't live fully for God now, how can we expect to live for Him in Heaven?