This is your Life

Those four little words came as a surprise to so many celebrities when caught by Eamonn Andrews and his “Red book” back in the 1960s. 

Those of a certain age may recall that all the research for each programme was done under a  heavy cloak of secrecy, so that, when the “victim” was finally caught on camera, it came as a complete surprise.

All that remained in each programme was for the person under the spotlight to be escorted to the TV studio to have their story told to the viewing public through friends and acquaintances.

This is your life!  

But what, exactly, is life?

‘Does anybody know what we are living for?’ asked Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, in the lyrics of the last song on their album, *Innuendo*.

Millions are implicitly asking just that question.

Jonathan Gabay, a thirty-one-year-old professional writer, was facing employment challenges and stress when he hit rock bottom. He began to ask questions about the meaning of life. He wrote to people in all walks of life: world leaders, the homeless, Oscar-winning actors, philosophers, comedians, taxi-drivers, teachers, explorers and prisoners on death row. 

To each one he asked, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Gabay compiled a book of responses, together with others who had attempted, over time, to answer this question. He even included the words of fictitious characters. They include the following:

Richard Nixon: ‘Life is one crisis after another.’

John Lennon: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.’

 

Dennis the Menace: ‘Life is what you make it – and I can make it UNBEARABLE!’

Albert Einstein: ‘The man who regards his life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.’

Numerous people replied that the meaning and purpose of life was to be found in Jesus Christ. Not only Mother Teresa and Billy Graham, but actors, scientists and the then Lord Chancellor. The Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Graham Kentfield (whose signature was on every banknote at the time) said, ‘I am clear that the meaning of life can only be properly understood in the context of our relationship with God.’

We find a very appropriate answer to the question “What is your life?” in the Bible.  James tells us in James chapter 4 verse 14.

“What is the nature of your life? You are really but a wisp of vapour, a puff of smoke, a mist that is visible for a little while and then disappears into thin air." (Amplified version)

By contrast, the Bible also speaks of another sort of life – eternal life.  Life that has no end but goes on and on, not in a dull repetition but in the glory of God’s presence.  A life free of pain, worry and emptiness.  That life is a gift, offered by Jesus Christ the Lord through His death for us upon the cross.

This life is brief and uncertain, but the life Jesus offers us if we will accept it is full, meaningful and eternal.

Can I ask you – What is your life?

DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (07/09/24)

Written by STEPHEN TRESEDER 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash