Conclusion

Someone has composed the following ditty:

A cheerful old bear at the zoo
Could always find something to do.
When it bored him, you know,
To walk to and fro,
He reversed it and walked fro and to.

If your life does not seem to have much more meaning than that and you are still looking for something that is worth living for, then may I commend to you the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who gives meaning to living and purpose to dying. He created you, he loves you, he died for you and he longs to take up residence in your life and fill it with meaning. It can be exciting to have a great purpose in life and to know that it is the purpose for which you were born into this world. The French philosopher and mathematician Pascal once said:

Apart from Jesus Christ we know not what our life is, nor our death, nor God, nor ourselves.

If you want to find this purpose, may I suggest that you get alone somewhere with God and sort it out with him. You may find it helpful to pray a prayer something like this:

If you should make this kind of commitment, then start reading through a good modern translation of the New Testament. It is there we learn the things that God desires for us and find the resources to grow and face the challenges that life brings. Also, look around for others with whom you can share the journey. We grow in our faith and develop our gifts best in company with others who also desire to live for Christ.

On a warm Los Angeles morning, in the summer of 1916, a young man took solace under the refreshing shade of a eucalyptus tree. He had been in search of truth for some time. That day, July 29th, Charles E. Fuller, committed his life to Jesus Christ. He remained in prayer under that tree all afternoon and later wrote, "Now my whole life's aims and ambitions have changed." The decision he made that day would change the eternal destiny of his life and the lives of thousands since who were touched by his life and ministry.

Jesus told the story of a man who stumbled across treasure hidden in a field. Recognising its value he went off and sold everything he had to buy that field (Matthew 13:44). Such is the value of all that Jesus offers, in this life and the next. I can guarantee one thing. If you do surrender your life to Christ and choose to live for him, whatever else life may bring, you won't be bored!