A question for the ages – why am I here? How many times have you asked yourself that question? How many times have you sat and pondered the meaning of life in general, and the meaning of your life in particular? Why was I born? Why am I here? What am I doing? Where am I going? These are certainly not new questions, but rather questions we all ponder from time to time.

In my personal observations, which, admittedly, are limited, it seems to me that there are more and more individuals who seem to struggle with these questions continuously. They never seem to find anything that brings satisfaction, or gives meaning, to their existence. They seem to wander aimlessly from job to job, from career move to career move, from one exhilarating experience to another, from one relationship to another, trying to find something, anything, that would make their existence meaningful and satisfying. And yet, with all the varied experiences, all the exciting encounters, they are still, when all is said and done, empty, void of any true feelings of fulfillment or any sincere feelings of self-worth. They are left perplexed with the same haunting questions about the meaning of their existence.

Then, you see others who seem to enjoy life to the max. They are fulfilled, satisfied, and content with their place in life. They seem to have found something that the majority of individuals never seem to attain. They have found their niche in life, their place in society, their worth in who they are, what they are doing, and where they are going.

Sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and many others spend their lifetimes researching this very subject. What motivates one to be a farmer, or a butcher, or a doctor, or nurse, or fireman, or police officer, or to make a career in a branch of the military, or a host of other possibilities? Why is one drawn to a certain career while others are repulsed at the thought of spending their life doing what brings such fulfillment to another?

The answer, for those who believe the Bible to be the Word of God, is found in that precious Book. One does not have to be a Christian to understand the concept clearly taught in Scripture. We are admonished in the Bible to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This is a simple principle: the wise parent will observe his children as they grow and develop, and will make note of the natural tendencies of each child. Some children show a great interest in science, or math, or sports, or music, or art. The wise parent will help their child develop those natural preferences, and that child will grow to do what God designed him to do.

In other words, being fulfilled in life is a matter of discerning the desires God has placed in our DNA, and finding a career that will give opportunity to fulfill those desires. This will ensure a satisfying, fulfilling, contented life – one in which you are excited for the dawning of every new day, because you are doing what you were genetically designed to do.

So, go for it! That love you have for music, science, math, farming, biology, architecture, finance, medicine is not by chance. It is by design, and you will be the best you can be when you are doing what you were born to do.

Having said all that, I would be remiss if I did not share that the greatest way of finding your meaning in life is through a meaningful relationship with the God of the Bible, which is offered to us through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. When you find your purpose in life through your relationship with Him, you will find the greatest source of satisfaction there is, in this life as well as the life to come.