There comes a time in everyone’s life when suddenly the million dollar question pops up: “Why am I here?”

And by “here,” I don’t mean your geographic location. I mean, “Why am I here on this earth?”

Or, to take it a bit deeper: “What is the meaning of life?”

Sometimes this question pops up during a life transition. Other times, it comes up when someone is in a rut. No matter the situation, this question plagues us as humans. We want to know that our existence isn’t just a random occurrence on a random planet spinning through space.

Society tells us the meaning of life is to accumulate as much money as possible, so we can accumulate as many material possessions as possible. And this will make us successful and rich and famous.

That, according to our society, is the meaning of life.

But obtaining these things is not the meaning of life at all. Jim Carrey once said: “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see it’s not the answer.”

Rich and famous people quickly realize that money and fame and accumulating things do not fulfill us. They are not the answer to the question of the meaning of life.

So why are we here? What is the meaning of life?

The Westminster Catechism, written in the 1600s for Christians in Scotland and Britain, tells us the meaning of life. It says: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy [God] forever.”

That’s it.

That’s what we were made to do.

Glorify God and enjoy God forever.

And yet.

We chase money. We chase promotions. We chase fame. We chase material possessions. We chase what society has convinced us is what’s most important. And we do it at the expense of what’s actually important– relationships, health, faith, calling.

But why we are actually here is….God. To love and serve God.

It’s so simple. Why do we make life so difficult? Why do we chase these things that don’t matter and not the things that do? How can we break this vicious cycle?

Jesus teaches us a different way to live. Jesus says: “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31,33)

First, seek God’s kingdom. God will provide everything else.

That’s it. That’s the meaning of life. We are called to glorify and enjoy God forever, seeking God first. Everything else we need will be given to us by God.

How is God calling you to seek God’s kingdom first and not money, fame, or things?