What is My Meaning in Life?

I have been reading the book Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. My sister gave it to me and said it was one of the best books she’s ever read, so naturally I decided I would read it. It’s a good book and just so happens to be the source of influence for my blog today.

The author is a Jew that was in a concentration camp. He writes of his time there and comes up with 3 things he believes people find meaning in, which I have written about below.

1. People find meaning by creating a work or doing a deed.

” Frankl said the thing that kept him alive was that he felt he needed to live so he could write his book and tell the world about his idea of logotherapy.  This source of meaning also includes finding purpose in a career or job.

2. People find meaning by experiencing something, encountering someone or love.

Frankl writes, “No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him.”

3. People find meaning in the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.

The author also states, “We may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement.”

I would say we all experience these 3 ideas in everyday life. We all want a career, someone to love, to experience beauty in creation, and we all have to go through some form of suffering. But I believe we find the meaning of our lives in a specific one.

If you have ever seen the show suits, you know the person Harvey. Harvey has a lot of pillars that are important to him. He values family, trust and many other things, BUT Harvey’s life is centered on winning. He lives out of the playbook of Drake, “All I do is win, win, win, no matter what.” Although he values many things, the meaning of his life is winning at his job.

Like Harvey, I think we value many things. But there is one thing that our lives are centered on and gives us the will to keep pressing on. Frankl states that he felt the need to share his idea of logotherapy with the world and that is what gave him the purpose and will to survive the concentration camp. I began to think about my life and what my meaning was. Through much prayer, journaling, meditating, and talking with people I have come to realize what my meaning is. As Frankl states in the book, “As long as one has a why to live for, he can make it through any how.”

I encourage you to go on this journey. When everything is stripped away, what is it that gets you excited? What gets you up in the morning? Take time to think about it and maybe even journal or write things down. Talk to people, hash it out, and get an answer to the question that I think we all wonder about at some point:

What is my meaning in life?

I Wish I Was "Called"

I often ponder on a question that I think many people wrestle with: "What am I suppose to do with my life?" In the christian world, we refer to this as being "called". Being "called"(I'm going to stop using quotations because I think you get the picture) has turned into an esteemed level of christianity. You are something special if you have been called to do something. I remember having friends that would tell me they were called to go to other parts of the world, or others who were called to start different local ministries. Wow! It always sounded so exciting and I was so happy for them. But then I got to thinking, "What am I called to do?" I mean, if God can call my friends, why can't he call me? People would ask me what I was wanting to do and I didn't know what to tell them. I didn't feel called to anything specific. I didn't have any glamorous calling. What was wrong with me, God? I knew I wanted people to know God, but that was about it. And that doesn't sound that glamorous. I mean, every christian wants that, right!? I spent a lot of my time coming up with cool things that I wanted to do and would tell people those so I would at least sound cool, but it was all a lie. The honest truth is, I had no idea what I wanted to do(I still don't). I would get frustrated with God. I didn't feel called to be a youth pastor, but I did it because I wanted to do ministry. Maybe if I did ministry, then I would feel called. I loved the students I was able to serve, but I still never felt the call. Looks like I wasn't cut out for ministry. If you have to be called to be in the ministry then it just wasn't for me.

I began thinking about Stephen, whose story is found in Acts 6 and 7. There was grumbling amongst believers about some widows being fed and some not. The Apostles decided it was better that they stick to teaching the word of God instead of running a food program. They decided to send 7 men to be in charge of serving food(that doesn't sound too glamorous to me). Stephen was chosen as one of those men. He wasn't called to anything. The apostles saw a need and were looking for someone to meet that need. The focal point of Stephens' story was never on his call(what he did), but rather on who he was. He was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit(Acts 6:5). Our culture puts a lot of significance on positions, titles, social and economical status, etc. Stephen didn't seem to care about any of that. He was not apart of the "cool kids", getting to go around teaching people about God's word. Instead, he got sent to help with a food program. Yet he was able to do many signs and miracles amongst the people he was sent to feed. I began to think that the call doesn't matter. The heart of the matter is not wrapped up in a call but rather a relationship with Jesus. Out of that relationship flows things that far surpass any significance of a title or call.

Recently I moved to Denver to help start a faith community. I never felt a "call" to go. I never heard an audible voice, saw a picture in my dream, or anything glamorous like that. But what I did have was a desire. As the apostle Paul longed to go to Rome, so have I always longed to go to Colorado. Was it selfish of me to want to move to Colorado? Maybe. But then I would argue it was selfish of Paul to want to go to Rome. On a deeper level, I have always been willing to go wherever(and I mean wherever. I almost went to Morocco to help a missionary reach lost people, but it just didn't pan out), and I still have that willingness. The difference between me and Paul, well one of the many, was I didn't feel like God was keeping me from Colorado. There was a need for people to come, and I said yes to that need. It's not glamorous or world renown, but God has been doing awesome things here. Do I feel called here? No, not really. But I love the city and am growing to love the people within it. I believe God has directed my steps, and he has proven to me that He's been with me throughout this journey. In fact, I think I have something better than being "called". On this journey, I have remained in Christ(not always faithfully or perfectly), and He has remained in me(always faithfully and perfectly).

My advice to those who don't feel called? Be faithful where you are and in the season you are in. Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. He hasn't forgotten you, nor has he left you. Rest in Him. If you see an opportunity and feel good about it, say yes.