Does Life Have a Purpose?

“‘Why are we here?’ is the most important question a human being has to face. . . . I believe that life has meaning in spite of the meaningless death I have seen. Death has no meaning, life has.”

THESE words were written by Elie Wiesel, well-​known writer and survivor of Nazi concentration camps. He was one of many who answered a question posed by Life magazine: “Why are we here?” He had seen life at its very worst, yet he was convinced that life has meaning.

Not everyone, however, agreed. A taxi driver named José Martínez answered the same question in this way: “We’re here to die, just live and die. I drive a cab. I do some fishing, take my girl out, pay taxes, do a little reading, then get ready to drop dead . . . Life is a big fake.” To José, life evidently has no meaning, no purpose.

Surprisingly, a number of educated people appeared to agree with the taxi driver rather than with the writer. Evolutionists Richard E. Leakey and Roger Lewin, in their book Origins, suggest: “Perhaps the human species is just a ghastly biological blunder, having evolved beyond a point at which it can thrive in harmony with itself and the world around it.” At least to them, human life is meaningless.

Similarly, evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould wrote: “We are here because one odd group of fishes had a peculiar fin anatomy that could transform into legs for terrestrial creatures; . . . because a small and tenuous species, arising in Africa a quarter of a million years ago, has managed, so far, to survive by hook and by crook. We may yearn for a ‘higher’ answer​—but none exists.” To Gould, human life is a meaningless accident.

Gould is correct in at least one respect. Many do yearn for a “higher” answer than the one he proposes. In times of tragedy, many think like 11-​year-​old Jason. This young boy wrote of the death of a young friend: “When my friend Kim died from her cancer I asked my Mom if God was going to make Kim die when she was only 6, why did he make her born at all?” Jason instinctively felt that life should have a purpose, and the sad death of his young friend seemed to frustrate that purpose.

The Importance of the Question

Is it important to know whether life has a purpose or not? Is this just a philosophical question, or one that should concern you? Many have lived out their lives without giving the matter much thought. And if José Martínez is correct, theirs might have been a wise course to follow.

If, though, Elie Wiesel is correct and life does have meaning, surely we should try to discover what it is. Otherwise, we could miss out on the whole point of the wonderful adventure of living. It would be like walking through an art gallery without looking at the pictures or sitting in a restaurant without ordering a meal.

How can we find out whether life has a purpose or not? In the next article, we will discuss some facts that help to solve this problem.

The Search for a Purpose

SINCE the time of Charles Darwin, there has been enormous pressure from biologists to accept the theory that life, as a result of evolution, is basically purposeless. However, many instinctively reject this. A young married couple, looking at their beautiful newborn baby, would have difficulty believing that this new life is purposeless. To them, it is a miracle, a life-​enriching wonder.

Even some scientists do not agree that life is a meaningless accident. Why not? Because of what The Encyclopedia Americana calls “the extraordinary degree of complexity and of organization in living creatures.” The Americana goes on to say: “A close examination of flowers, insects, or mammals shows an almost incredibly precise arrangement of parts.”

Considering such complexity and beautiful organization​—which is seen in even the simplest of living creatures—​South African scientist Dr. Louw Alberts was quoted in the Cape Times as saying: “I get more intellectual satisfaction in accepting there is a God than merely accepting that it [life] happened by chance.” Speaking of the chemical composition of living organisms, British astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell wrote: “The probability of . . . a chance occurrence leading to the formation of one of the smallest protein molecules is unimaginably small. . . . It is effectively zero.”

In a similar vein, astronomer Fred Hoyle wrote: “The entire structure of orthodox biology still holds that life arose at random. Yet as biochemists discover more and more about the awesome complexity of life, it is apparent that the chances of it originating by accident are so minute that they can be completely ruled out. Life cannot have arisen by chance.”

What does this mean? If life did not come about by accident, it must have come by design. And if so, it must have had a Designer. And what a Designer! The psalmist rightly said: “In a fear-​inspiring way I am wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) But what does this tell us about whether life has a purpose or not?

Well, humans also design and make things. They make jet airplanes. They make oil refineries. They make electric power plants. And they make a myriad of other things of greater or lesser complexity. But humans do not design and build such complicated things without a reason. Everything is made with a purpose in mind.

Since nothing that humans have made even comes close to matching the awesome complexity of living things, surely the Designer of life would not have created life without having some purpose for it. It is the height of unreason to believe that we were “wonderfully made” and then left rudderless and without purpose.

The Search for Purpose

That the Creator created humans to fulfill a purpose is also strongly supported by the fact that we humans instinctively seek a purpose in our lives. Gilbert Brim, a psychologist, spoke about man’s instinctive need for purpose when he said: “Many people find growth and challenge in the workplace. But those who cannot will search for special challenges and achievement elsewhere: losing weight, mastering the six-​iron shot on a downhill lie, making the perfect omelet or seeking adventures​—whether it’s hang gliding or experimenting with new foods.” Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl even claimed: “The striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man.”

Let us examine some of the goals that people set for themselves in life.

What Gives Life Purpose?

One young teenager, when asked about her purpose in life, said: “My dream is just to have a nice condo, a nice car, and a nice guy for the car. I’m out for myself. I’m a me person. I want what’s going to make me happy, not what’s going to make the whole society happy.” If you think that sounds selfish, you are right. It is. Unhappily, though, it is not an uncommon attitude.

Yet, does simply pursuing material things and pleasures satisfy the need to have meaning in one’s life? No. When pleasure is our only objective, pleasure is unsatisfying. Individuals who make it their main goal in life usually end up echoing in their hearts the sentiment of a wealthy king of ancient times who used his power and wealth to explore various aspects of pleasure available back then. Listen to the conclusion he came to:

“I accumulated also silver and gold for myself, and property peculiar to kings and the jurisdictional districts. I made male singers and female singers for myself and the exquisite delights of the sons of mankind, a lady, even ladies. . . . And, look! everything was vanity and a striving after wind.”​—Ecclesiastes 2:8, 11.

Many find satisfaction in a career or in using their mental or physical strength to achieve what seem to be worthwhile objectives. After a while, though, a career does not entirely satisfy the need to have a purpose in life. Peter Lynch, described as an “investment superstar,” gave up his lucrative career when he realized that something was seriously missing in his life. What? His relationship with his family. He confessed: “I loved what I was doing, but I came to a conclusion, and so did some others: What . . . are we doing this for? I don’t know anyone who wished on his deathbed that he had spent more time at the office.”

Hence, a teenage girl showed a measure of balance when she considered her goals in life and said: “One of my dreams is to have a career. But I think my main dream is to have a happy family.” Yes, our family can give meaning and purpose to life. A young married woman said: “Very early in my life I saw being a parent as one of the things that one was born to do, one of the purposes of life, and I never questioned it.”

Others look for a purpose in life in other pursuits. Some​—likely including those scientists who claim that life is a meaningless accident—​find a purpose in the pursuit of knowledge. Evolutionist Michael Ruse wrote: “We have a thirst to know, and this raises us above the brutes. . . . Among our greatest needs and duties is that of passing on, to our children, the accumulated wisdom of the past, together with our zest and our achievements. . . . The quest for knowledge, and the successes, make for one of the great marks of the human spirit.”

Some find that serving a cause gives purpose to their lives. They work for the preservation of rare animal species. Or they fight pollution and the destruction of the environment. Caring people champion the rights of children or work for the homeless or the poor. Or they labor to prevent the spread of drug addiction. Such individuals sometimes accomplish much good, and what they do enriches their lives with purpose.

Frustrations and Disappointments

We have to acknowledge, though, that humans are often frustrated in their pursuit of goals even if the goals are worthy ones. Parents who put much love and effort into raising their children sometimes lose them to accidents, crime, sickness, or drug addiction. Or when the children grow up, they may get infected by the selfish spirit of this world and fail to return their parents’ love.

Those who work selflessly to improve the environment are often frustrated by commercial interests or by the fact that others just do not care. Those working for the betterment of the poor are overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. An individual who finds his career fulfilling is frustrated when he is forcibly retired. A researcher who finds the pursuit of knowledge completely satisfying is frustrated when his life draws near its end and there are still so many unanswered questions. A man who has spent his life building a fortune finds that, eventually, he has to leave it to others.

The ancient king who was quoted earlier described some of these frustrations when he wrote: “I came to hate all my labour and toil here under the sun, since I should have to leave its fruits to my successor. What sort of a man will he be who succeeds me, who inherits what others have acquired? Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master of all the fruits of my labour and skill.”​—Ecclesiastes 2:18, 19, The New English Bible.

Is life ultimately without purpose, then, as these oh-​so-​true words seem to imply? Are the various goals that humans pursue merely a help to get them through the 70, 80, or 90 years of life that many are granted? Beyond that, are these goals basically meaningless? No. In fact, they indicate something very profound about the way we were made, and they provide evidence that life does, indeed, have a very wonderful purpose. But how can we find this purpose?

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Some find that the pursuit of knowledge gives meaning and purpose to their lives

Humans do not build complicated things without having a purpose in mind

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NASA photo

The Real Purpose of Life

IMAGINE that you are visiting a friend’s workshop. He has just finished a project, and you are fascinated by it. The object is beautifully made and intriguingly shaped. But try as you may, you cannot determine what it is for. How do you find out? Why, you simply ask your friend, and he will likely be happy to tell you.

So how can we find out the purpose of life? Well, why not ask God, “the source of life”? (Psalm 36:9) How can you do that? Happily, he has spoken to us through the Bible. He has had individuals of faith write down his thoughts in a way that we can understand. Actually, the purpose of life can be expressed in just a few words: We are here to learn about God and to do his will. The Bible says: “The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.”​—Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Does that seem too simple? Well, it is not. Our being here to learn about God and to do his will has wonderful and profound implications.

God’s Original Purpose

Learning what God originally intended for mankind will help you better understand the purpose of life. It will also explain why some of the things mentioned in the previous article bring a measure of meaning and purpose to the lives of many today.

The Bible account of man’s creation says: “God went on to say: ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’” (Genesis 1:26) Thus, humans were made with the potential for being like God, possessing the outstanding qualities he has, including wisdom, power, righteousness, and love. Is it surprising, then, that some find it fulfilling to seek new knowledge or to engage in activities that challenge their mental or physical powers? And is it unexpected that helping others provides a satisfying purpose in the lives of many? Not at all. This is, in part, what we were created to do.

The Bible record goes on to say that humans were given oversight of all other life on earth​—“the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens . . . and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) No wonder, therefore, that even today many find satisfaction in having animals around and in playing with them. Some feel their responsibility toward the animals to such an extent that they work hard for the preservation of threatened species, or they campaign against the exposing of animals to needless suffering.

Humans were also commanded to ‘subdue the earth.’ (Genesis 1:28) What did this imply? Certainly not that people should selfishly and irresponsibly exploit the earth until its riches were exhausted, its atmosphere polluted, and its seas and land areas strewed with garbage. Rather, God set the pattern for subduing the earth when he “planted a garden in Eden, toward the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.” (Genesis 2:8) This garden of Eden was the model showing what the earth would become. It reflected God’s purpose for our planet.

The Bible account explains: “Further, God blessed [the first man and woman] and God said to them: ‘Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it.’” (Genesis 1:28) God wanted humans to have children and populate the earth. He brought the first man and woman together and, in effect, performed the very first wedding. (Genesis 2:22-24) No wonder that marriage and family add meaning and purpose to the lives of so many!

What Life Could Have Been

As we study the Bible, it is evident that God intended for Adam’s family to grow and for him and his children to extend the boundaries of the garden of Eden until humans filled the entire earth. And the subdued earth would be a paradise. True, man would use the riches of the earth for his own benefit. But this would be done in a responsible way. Man was to be a steward of the earth, not a despoiler of it. The destruction of the earth that we witness today is against God’s will, and those who share in it are going contrary to the purpose of life.​—Revelation 11:18.

We learn something else from the early Bible record, and that is that it was not God’s purpose for people to die. Our first parents died only because they disobeyed God. (Genesis 2:16, 17) When they disobeyed, they were no longer fulfilling the purpose of life​—they were no longer doing God’s will. So not only did they die but all their offspring have also been subjected to death because of inheriting imperfection from them. (Romans 5:12) Humans were, however, originally intended to live forever, not to die. This is likely why many find it frustrating to contemplate the cutting short of their life’s work by death.

Fulfilling God’s Purpose

God’s original purpose for humankind and this earth has not changed. He still intends to have a paradise earth peopled by a perfect human race. Yet, he has had to make arrangements to overcome the sad effects of the failure of our first parents. Doing God’s will today involves acting in harmony with all these arrangements of God. Happily, the Bible provides a description of the progressive fulfillment of his purpose.

We read in the first book of the Bible that God spoke of a “seed” who would come to undo all the harm wreaked by Adam and Eve’s failure to do His will. (Genesis 3:15) In the Christian Greek Scriptures (“New Testament”), we read of the appearance of Jesus Christ as that “seed,” of his sinless life, and of his death at the hands of his enemies. Jesus’ death was, effectively, a sacrifice in our behalf, opening the way for us to regain the eternal life that Adam and Eve lost. (Hebrews 7:26; 9:28) Yes, the Bible says: “Everyone exercising faith in him [will] not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”​—John 3:16.

And there is more. After his death, Jesus was resurrected as an immortal spirit creature and is now ruling as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom. Soon that Kingdom will act to replace the present earthly governments with a new world society that will take over the management of human affairs. A Bible prophecy promises: “The kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”​—Daniel 2:44.

Afterward, this Kingdom will oversee the delightful activity of restoring Paradise to the earth and raising humankind to perfection. The Bible even speaks of a resurrection of the dead, so that they too can have the opportunity to share in the fulfillment of God’s grand purpose for mankind. (Acts 24:15) Then will be fulfilled the beautiful promise: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”​—Psalm 37:11, 29.

Benefiting Personally

To benefit personally from the fulfillment of God’s grand purpose for the earth, we must first get to know God. Jesus Christ said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) How can we do that? We learn some things about God by observing the world around us, the creation, including the starry heavens. (Psalm 19:1) Especially, though, do we learn about God​—as well as about his Son, Jesus Christ—​through the Bible. We learn his name and his qualities, and we find out in detail what God has done for mankind. Such knowledge makes us love him and draws us very close to him and to his Son.

Getting to know God makes us want to do his will. Perhaps we have prayed as Jesus instructed: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10) The real purpose of life​—the one that brings true satisfaction—​is living our lives in harmony with that will of God.

What is involved, though, in doing God’s will? For Adam and Eve, it involved overseeing the animal kingdom and subduing the earth and filling it with perfect offspring. If we would do God’s will today, we must learn about and exercise faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. And we must follow Jesus’ example by telling others about ‘the good news of God’s kingdom.’​—Matthew 24:14.

Doing God’s will also includes developing a godly personality. So we identify the things God hates​—such as lying, theft, harmful gossip, uncontrolled anger—​and we reject them. We also study the qualities that God loves​—such as love, joy, peace, kindness, and goodness—​and we cultivate them with the help of God’s holy spirit. (Galatians 5:19-24) If we are to gain eternal life, we need to be the kind of people that God will want to have around for all eternity. Indeed, learning about God and doing his will gives purpose and meaning to our lives as nothing else can!

The Difference It Makes

The lives of millions of people around the world testify that finding the real purpose of life truly makes a difference. Consider the example of Wayne, who was devastated by the death of his first wife. His local clergyman was unable to comfort him, so Wayne became busy in volunteer work. He served as a commander in the American Legion and was active in political groups. Then he married again, but the marriage was stormy. He and his wife had no direction in their lives.

One day, however, Wayne picked up a Bible and started reading. In three months he finished it, and he says: “Now I knew that there was a purpose for our being here and a hope of a life after death.” He told his wife: “We should find people to associate with who adhere to the Bible.” Soon they met Jehovah’s Witnesses, and their discussions with them intensified their desire to do God’s will. Both Wayne and his wife dedicated their lives to God, and their family life was greatly benefited.

Susan, a daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, wanted to do something with her life that would really help the world. A lecture on the dangers of nuclear power convinced her that this was of the utmost importance. So she left college in order to spend all her time educating people about the problem. When she was 21, she served as a coordinator for a big antinuclear rally. Later she was visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses and shown what the Bible says and, in time, found the real purpose of life. While doubtless still concerned about mankind’s ruining of the earth, she realizes that God will solve these problems through his Kingdom. Hence, she helps people put faith in that.

Marielle made it her purpose in life to enjoy the things the world offers. She pursued a career. She enjoyed all the ‘in things’ of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., including parties and drugs. But when she began to study the Bible, got to know and serve God, she saw how empty all those things were. She says her life is much richer now that it harmonizes with God’s purposes.

The number of those whose lives have been enriched by learning the real purpose of life is increasing by the hundreds every day. Living in harmony with that true purpose of life by doing the will of our loving, heavenly Father truly makes a difference. It is something that can change your whole life for the better. We invite you to look into the matter for yourself. Your life will be more fulfilling if you do.

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The Giver of life had a purpose in creating mankind

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God has not abandoned his purpose to have a paradise earth filled with a perfect human race