This article is a companion piece to our sermon series “Jesus is the Way”. Watch the full sermon video below to dive deeper into this transformative message.
The Empty Search for Meaning
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? Maybe you’ve achieved success, accumulated wealth, or even reached your personal goals, but still feel an unexplainable void. You’re not alone. Millions of people today are living what I call “empty lives” – lives without true meaning or purpose.
As your pastor, I’ve counseled countless individuals who seemed to have everything but felt they had nothing. They’ve tried filling their lives with possessions, relationships, careers, and endless pursuits – only to discover that these temporary satisfactions leave them wanting more.
“Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” – Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
The Thief vs. The Giver of Life
Let’s be honest about something: there’s an enemy working against your search for meaning. Jesus himself warned us about this:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
The enemy’s strategy is clever – he doesn’t just want to steal your joy; he wants to destroy your very understanding of what makes life meaningful. But Jesus offers something radically different: abundant life.
The Three Deceptive Substitutes for Meaning
People often try to find meaning through:
- Accumulation – believing more possessions will fill the void
- Achievement – thinking success will bring fulfillment
- Amusement – using entertainment to mask emptiness
Jesus: The Source of True Meaning
Here’s what makes Jesus different – He doesn’t just offer temporary solutions; He offers transformation from the inside out. When you encounter Jesus, He changes how you see everything.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” – John 14:6
The Transformative Power of Jesus
When Jesus enters your life, He brings:
- Peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7)
- Rest for your weary soul (Matthew 11:28-30)
- Purpose beyond yourself
Living a Life of True Meaning
But here’s the challenging truth – finding meaning in Jesus isn’t passive. It requires active participation in your relationship with Him. Here’s how:
1. Daily Surrender
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
This isn’t about religion; it’s about relationship. Each day presents a new opportunity to choose Jesus’s way over your own.
2. Authentic Prayer
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
3. Purposeful Living
When you align your life with Jesus, you begin to see that every moment has meaning, every interaction has purpose, and every challenge has potential for growth.
Your Next Step: The Meaning Challenge
I want to challenge you to try something for the next 7 days:
- Start each morning by surrendering your day to Jesus
- Keep a journal of moments where you sense God’s presence
- End each day by thanking God for three specific ways He brought meaning to your day
A Final Word
Remember what Blaise Pascal said: “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing, but only by God the Creator.”
If you’re ready to find true meaning in life, the answer isn’t in what you can achieve or acquire – it’s in Who you can know. Jesus is waiting to fill that void in your life with purpose and meaning that lasts.
Your Response
If you’re ready to experience true meaning in life through Jesus, pray this simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I recognize that I’ve been searching for meaning in all the wrong places. Today, I invite You to be the Lord of my life. Fill my life with Your purpose and meaning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Join us this Sunday at ICA Macau as we continue our journey of discovering how Jesus is the way to a truly meaningful life.