Meaning

True contentment comes as we recognize that God is with us - we can seek fulfillment in what the world has to offer, but He has so much more for us to experience in Him. 1st Timothy 6 states:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

When we consider what is going on around us, we can be satisfied in our all-sufficient God who is in us. He enables us to walk in His presence and to know His love.  He has declared us to be righteous and holy in His sight - right with Him - and that can bring a deep sense of meaning and satisfaction to us. Even in our most discouraging times, we can look to Him and know that He is with us and will bring comfort to our souls. 

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We can be joyful in the presence of the Lord, who brings a sense of purpose to our lives. 1st Peter 1 states:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

When you consider that there have been well over 500 thousand deaths in America alone attributed to the COVID-19 virus and think about how our lives have been shifted so dramatically during this past year, it could become an opportunity to really consider what's important in life.  And, we have seen stories of how people have drawn closer to God during this time, perhaps even giving their hearts to Christ.

A LifeWay Research study, the subject of a recent ChristianHeadlines.com article, focuses in on the things that are really important, such as the meaning of life and what comes next, after we leave this earth.  The article said that the survey "found that 57 percent of U.S. adults during the pandemic say they ponder, at least monthly, the question, 'How can I find more meaning and purpose in my life?' In 2011, it was 51 percent.  21% related that they think about that topic on a daily basis.  The survey also found:

- 81 percent agree there is an “ultimate purpose and plan for every person’s life.” But the percentage who strongly agree with the statement has decreased, from 50 percent in 2011 to 44 percent today.

- 59 percent agree with the statement, “I have found a higher purpose and meaning for my life.”

But, in what could be considered a startling turn, fewer American adults are sure of what occurs after we die.  The article states:

Only 43 percent of adults “strongly agree” that “there is more to life than the physical world and society.” In 2011, 67 percent agreed with that statement. Forty-two percent “somewhat agree” with the statement – an increase from 21 percent in 2011.

Interestingly enough, the percentage of those who say they "wonder daily" if they will go to heaven has doubled in the past decade - from 8 percent in 2011 to 15 percent in September 2020, when this survey was taken.

The executive director of the research organization, Scott McConnell, says this: “In the midst of such a discouraging season, fewer Americans are convinced there is something more to this life than their daily activities,” adding, “A large majority still lean toward there being an ultimate purpose for a person’s life, but instead of escaping the pandemic with thoughts of something greater, far fewer strongly hold such a view. A growing number of Americans have become open to the idea that this might be as good as it gets.”

But, that may be true - for some - by their own choice.  The Bible teaches us to be content regardless of the circumstances that we face, and that sense of contentment can result from the hope and anticipation of what God wants to do in our lives.  We can have purpose even amidst negative surroundings.  We can walk in joy even though we struggle.  It's the presence of God in our hearts that makes the difference.

A life with meaning and purpose flows out of how we stand with our Maker.  Many have experienced, what has been termed, "dis-ease," in the middle of disease and death and hearts are tentative. But, if we stand with Christ, we can experience His strength and walk in His triumph.

There is certainly more than what we experience with our senses in this world - there is another world; for the Christian, we have the promise of a new world to come, a place that Jesus has in store for us.  That promise of heaven can also add meaning to our lives here on earth, as we realize that we have eternal hope in Him.