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Bethany Cooper
Ms. Carty
English 1101-010
28 November 2014
Life, purpose, meaning?
Everyone wants to feel like they have a purpose. This is innate in human nature. We all want
to have meaning and purpose in our lives to give us drive and desire to succeed in whatever it is we
do. On average, 51% of Americans ask themselves, How can I find more meaning and purpose in my
life? at least monthly (Murashko). Id like to say thats pretty often. However, once people find their
purpose in life their sense of meaning and comfort frequently becomes clear. Finding answers to
these troubling questions resolves unwanted stress and tension.
This is the role my faith plays in my life. My religion is where I find my meaning and purpose
in life. Christians are taught to seek Christ and become more like Him, so this is what I strive to do
with my life, this is where I put forth my daily efforts and goals with passion. Religion is my go-to
as some people call it. And it builds my foundation for lifestyle and decision-making.
In any subject or matter, there is usually a legend. Someone has mastered the art of a
sport, hobby, or interest and become, the best of the best. We are all striving to have this Grade A
format in whatever it is we practice or study. Likewise, there is such a person for religion. I guess you
could call Jesus the Michael Jordan of Christianity. Christ, also referred to as the messiah, was the
model for Christians. Messiah is known as being divine or holy. Jesus met this definition to a T.
A biblical worldview is thinking like Jesus. It is a way of making our faith practical to every
situation we face each day. A biblical worldview is a way of dealing with the world such that we act
like Jesus twenty-four hours a day because we think like Jesus. (Barna,4). But in a more literal
sense, how simple was Christs being? What were His ways really like? Christ came to this earth and
walked as a human just like we do today, its hard to imagine what He represented and what kind of
lifestyle He led. The encouraging part about this however is knowing we have a great deal of
information on Christ and His life. Christians search for the details of His life to help mirror their own
life in such a manner.
Christ, who was He?
Because Jesus has been described as the perfect being, He is often portrayed as godly and
unhuman. Although He was sent from The Lord, which is how He remained sinless, we tend to forget
He was actual flesh and bone just like us. So if we are supposed to create an image resembling this,
what should that even look like? It says Christ took 30 years to prepare for His Public Ministry
(Stalker). Its hard to imagine taking 30 years to prepare for anything at this day and age. But He
knew it must go unflawed, and worked patiently. One characteristic used to describe Jesus was
purposefulness (Stalker). He came to the world and knew exactly what He came to do and why He
came to do it. Christ came boldly and unfearfully. Along with this purposefulness came faith. The
kind of faith He had was described as confidence in the accomplishment of His purpose.(Stalker)
So not only did He come knowing what and why, He came without doubt or worry of failure. He
believed so strongly in His purpose that He sought it with everything He had. However, one of the
most prominent characteristics of Jesus life was His originality (Stalker). He lived unlike any other,
saw real godliness, standing firm in His belief, being unchanged by any other, and was equally loyal

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to the truth He spoke of. But it didnt stop there, Jesus was known for the love He showed to others.
This was His passion and inspiration. Because He lacked discrimination towards anyone, Christ
sympathized with others more than we ever could. Hes a savior. His love and selflessness is
something we could only strive for. Most importantly though, was Jesus love for God (Stalker). He
recognized God always, He never spent an hour, He never did an action, without direct reference to
Him. (Stalker, 84). God was His constant delight, which is why Christians are taught to seek The
Lord in all circumstances. Christ laid His life down at the feet of The Lord, with a willing and serving
heart. He was eagerly submissive to The Lord. But the most wide known characteristic of Christ was
his sinlessness (Stalker). He was unflawed, and untainted. By living this way, Christ revealed the
perfect example of what to strive for in Christianity.
Who is Christ to me?
(John 14:6) Christ is the gateway to God. Although we live in a fallen world, separated from
God by sin, Jesus creates the bridge between us and God. The way, and only way, to life is through
Him. (Matthew 16:24-25) I have a personal identity that resonates in Christ. I must rid myself and
my flesh. When I lose myself I am found in Him. (Proverbs 8:35) When I am found in Christ I find life
and purpose. (Colossians 2:9) Jesus creates the fullness and completion of life. He is the physical
form of God. One can find fullness in Him. This is why I fall back on my faith in Jesus because I know I
find myself in Him and I identify who I am through His likeness. This is where I find most peace and
comfort, in knowing Christ is the solution to the fallen ways of this world. I am absolutely honored
and grateful for the sacrifice He made, that we may now have an example to live by, and a way to
seek The Lord.
Following Christ isnt just a belief or ritual, when one finds their purpose in Christ it becomes
a lifestyle. The Bible has great techniques to help us implement these ideals. For example,
(Philippians 2:3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, this helps us realize the selfless manner Christ had that we are supposed
to mimic in service to others. This scripture also very closely depicts the lifestyle of a believer,
(Philippians 2:5-8) In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being
made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!
Hearing the inspiring description of Christs life helps me relate to the personal strive to live
in such a manner. Even for those who dont have the same purpose, the passion of His lifestyle is still
encouraging for those who havent yet found their purpose or are seeking their meaning in life. My
purpose truly helps me live out my passions and grants me peace and comfort. I hope everyone finds
meaning in some aspect of their life that gives them a sense of comfort also. Purpose along with
faith in that purpose, I believe, is the key to genuine happiness, regardless of what that purpose may
be.
ReferencesThink Like Jesus: Make the Right Decision Every Time
Barna, George. Think like Jesus: Make the Right Decision Every Time. Nashville: Integrity,
2003. Print.
The Bible

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Survey: Unchurched Do Not Ponder Lifes Purpose, Afterlife
Murashko, Alex. Survey: Unchurched Do Not Ponder Life's Purpose, Afterlife. Dec. 2011.
Web. http://www.christianpost.com/news/survey-unchurched-do-not-ponder-lifes-purposeafterlife-65763
The Life of Jesus Christ by James Stalker
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Stalker, James. The Life of Jesus Christ. Chicago: Henry A. Sumner, 1880. Print.