Press Thru

Many would long for the standard, Americanized type of life that we picture as kids.  It involved big houses, standard size families, enjoyable 9-5 jobs and all a whole scattering of other things we think we want or deserve.  It is a life of Status, that shows we are successful.

I don’t think I ever thought I really wanted that.  I am not sure that knew exactly what I wanted, but I am pretty sure it wasn’t that.  That is too popular, too overdone, and lets face it – too empty.  Most people have to decide whether they want to pursue the life of Status or the life of Meaning.  Very few people (these days) think they want the life of Status.  Maybe they want it in small subtle ways, but with our words we declare that we have rejected that empty dream, and are pursuing a life of Meaning.  We can decide to chase after a life and lifestyle that has deep meaning, but few of us understand the implications of our choice.

A life of Meaning is a life that is leveraged to bless others, to find out what you can give – not what you can get.  Meaning is found in the pouring out of ourselves, not the building up of ourselves.  This is the most costly choice you can make.  To pick the life of Meaning is to make daily decisions that put yourself in the path of pain, frustration and heart-ache.  Suffering will enter, and you will be forced to have some face-to-face conversations with God about the purpose of your pain.  Through experience and story, I have learned that to choose the life of Meaning is to choose a life that will bring you pain, and that pain has deep purpose.  It allows you to remember the human condition, and gives you new avenues to relate, connect and bless those around you.  Perhaps God will allow deep wounds to come, so that you could understand deep healing, and in the future speak of true redemption and restoration with something of experience and authority.

The life of Meaning doesn’t give too much room for you to ache for what you lack, but to celebrate in what you have been given.  This life doesn’t allow you to sit in hurt for too long, but pushes you to ask, “how is this hurt going to help me serve others in the future?” 

The great news about this life of Meaning is that you can jump into it at any time.  Whether you are 18, 30 or 60…you can decide that the measure of your life will be what you give, not what you get.  It is the life we have always wanted, but every day you will freshly discover that it is not at all what you thought it would be.  It is different, it is harder, and it is so much better.