In high school I had to write a paper on the “Meaning of Life.” I remember saying something about God, being a good daughter, sister, etc. Lately, I’ve been thinking about that on a deeper level as I have been studying the book of Ecclesiastes.
The chief end of man, as the Westminster Catechism says, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. OK… But how on earth do we do that??? Do we, like, shine a flashlight on a cross to “glorify God?” And does “enjoy Him” mean meditating really hard saying things like, “I’m enjoying God. I’m enjoying God. I’m enjoying God?”
Take a big sigh of relief as I assure you that is not what is meant here. Instead, let’s think about God’s purpose and plan and how we as humans fit into that.
1. The Great Commission
“…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Great Commission was Jesus’ final words to the disciples. Jesus told the disciples to go tell the world about God. Period. That’s it. That’s God’s agenda.
“But we can’t all be pastors and evangelists,” you say. Right! Someone needs to grow food for us to eat, build places for us to live, make roads for us to get to the people to tell them about Jesus, and somewhere along the line, someone needs to pay for it all! Exactly! But here’s the glorious thing: we don’t have to understand how our contribution to fulfilling the Great Commission actually is happening. We just have to obey God.
For instance, when I start my day with the Lord and set up my daily agenda with Him, then I do the things He wants me to do that day. In that way, I am fulfilling the Great Commission. Some days, that’s sitting at a desk doing financials and honoring God with my taxes. Other days it’s talking to a customer and inviting them to my church.
2. A Relational God
“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime…I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 22)
God also wants us to have a relationship with Him. He doesn’t simply want to use us to accomplish His plan. He’s not a harsh dictator. He’s a loving Father who cares for us. So some days, we do things that definitely do not seem to be fulfilling any Great Commission, but it’s how we enjoy the life He’s given us. It’s simply enjoying a relationship with our loving Father.
For instance, I winterize my geraniums. Those are summer flowers, fyi. It doesn’t save enough money to make it worth it, but it’s enjoyable for me. I just like doing it. I like splitting the plants and watching them multiply and grow. This too, brings glory to God because I am enjoying the life He’s created for me. There are very few things I do in life that do not bring some type of return on my time investment. But playing with dirt and plants is life giving to me. Therefore, it does fulfill the Great Commission because it makes me a happier and healthier person, better able to share Christ with the world. There’s a time for everything and every activity under the sun (Ecclesiastes 3). Some things we do directly affect the Great Commission. Other things, indirectly. But following God and His plan for our lives always is working for God’s Great Commission.
So you see, we all play a part in this big goal of the Lord’s to share Christ with the world. Past generations have joined God in the same task. Now is our time to take up the mantle and do as the Lord leads. For doing that which He leads us to, will last. Yes, your work has meaning, even if you are not a preacher. You can share Christ with your coworkers (not on the clock as opposed to working). You can enjoy your life and your job and in so doing, bring glory to God.
