Mankind seems to be on a never-ending quest in search of something that has eluded them from the beginning. Those that eventually discover it are amazed that it took so long since it was there all the time. With that in mind, allow your imagination to wander for a few moments.

Imagine a man sitting beside a stream a very long time ago. This is one who has lived many years and now hasn’t much time remaining. He is thoughtful and curious as he watches the mountain stream trickle across the rocks. Occasionally, he will gaze upward to watch the clouds floating across the blue sky from west to east. He then looks back again at the stream wondering where the water came from and where it will end up. While feeling the warmth of the sun on his weathered skin, a cool breeze brushes his face. Just then he glances down once more to catch a quick glimpse of his reflection in the streem reminding him of his advanced years. Then he asks silently, “Where did I come from; why am I here, and where am I going?”

He certainly wasn’t the first to ask these questions. Life has been a mystery since the beginning of time. Most are born, live, and die, never knowing the meaning of life. The answer seems to constantly change during the course of our lives depending upon where we are and what we are doing at the moment. For a young couple who are hopelessly in love, they are convinced that their lives have finally found meaning. But a short time later, a precious little baby comes their way, and they rise to yet another level of awe.

There was one whom I believe was searching for the secret of life that came to Jesus one night hoping to get his answer. In John chapter 3, Nicodemas came to inquire of the Lord concerning spiritual matters. Jesus, knowing his motives, wasted no time and instantly spoke to him the meaning of life. In verse 3, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Of course Nicodemus did not immediately understand and began to ask ridiculous questions. But the fact is, Jesus had given him the secret of life in just those few words. 

So if this is the meaning of human life and the purpose for our existence, why are millions not rushing to learn of this? There are many reasons, but they all have the same root cause. Mankind has an insatiable attraction to evil and an aversion to the goodness of God. We will usually never chase after the Savior until we have run the gamut of what the world has to offer. Countless millions will never seek Him and thus will never find Him.

Jeremiah 29 11-14 puts it this way: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.”  

The “secret of life” begins and ends with Jesus Christ, believing that He was who He claimed that He was, while accepting His gift of eternal life. But to qualify, He said that “you must be born again.” Do you not understand this? If not, then put forth the effort to study the scriptures and seek spiritual counseling from one that is reliable and trustworthy. Seek Him and you will find Him. When? When you search for Him with all your heart. But also, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6