Expert: Dr. Jay Forrest - 3/8/2005

Question
what is the meaning of life and when will it all end

Answer
Hi Don,

I believe that the meaning of life is not something that can be passed on intellectually from one person to another.  For example, the Westminster confession asks, "what is the chief end of man?"  It answers it with, "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Intellectually one can understand such a statement, but without a deep experience of God it is meaningless.  Meaning is something that you yourself ascribe to life, it is not something someone else ascribes for you.

I really like the movie City Slickers because it gets to the heart of what I am trying to say. If you have not seen it, you might want to rent it.

In the movie Billy Crystal is given the secret of life.  An old cowboy holds up his index finger and says, "That's the secret of life."  He explains that the secret of life is one thing. When Billy asks what the one thing is, the old cowboy response, "That's up to you."  In other words you have to decide what the one thing is in your life. It's not something that someone can decide for you.

Being a mystic my one thing has been the manifest presence of God. With Augustine I realized that my heart was restless until it found rest in God. The meaning of my life is to love God and let His love shine through me.

And "when will it all end?"  I honestly don't know, and I don't think very often on the subject. I try to live in the present. The past is over and done and the future is beyond by control, what I can control is now... today.  Today I can love, help, heal, support, encourage, and serve my fellow humans.  All else is an illusion.

I hope that what I have said helps. I pray that you find your one thing.

Your servant in Christ,

Jay N. Forrest