A while back, a student asked me, “What’s the meaning of life?”. This is one of my favorite questions, because to me it’s the most important question in the world. My response was this, “The meaning of life is to know God, and to have him be known.” A follower of Jesus, does part one; They get to know God on a daily basis. A Disciple is someone who does part one and then does part two. They live in a constant cycle of learning more about God and sharing more about God.

So, how did I go from step 1 to step 2? I became a follower of Jesus in September of 2017. Some friends of mine gave me my very first Bible for Christmas later that year. Once I got my Bible, I didn’t really know what to do with it since I hated reading. So, everynight before bed, I’d open it up to a random page and read one verse. From time to time I’d see some gems in there and some nuggets of wisdom that were cool to think about, but it didn’t feel like it was changing my life. I kept up that habit for a few months until I went to my very first leadership huddle in 2018. At this point, I was a fresh youth leader and trying to figure out how to be a better leader. 

During a breakout group, a woman was talking about how she read a couple of chapters every day. I never really liked reading, so I was much more comfortable with a verse a day, but I wanted to be more filled than that. I asked her, “Where would you recommend that I start reading from in the Bible if I’m new to this stuff?”. She said, “If Jesus comes back tomorrow, you don’t have time for the Old Testament! You need to read about Jesus first! Read the book of John!” Her excitement was enthusiastic and I was inspired. That night, I started in John Chapter 1 and read the whole chapter. I stumbled across what I now claim is my “life verse”. It’s the verse that points to the way I want to live my life forever! 

This chapter contains the testimony of John the Baptist. John would be preaching regularly about the soon coming messiah. The savior of the world! One day, the Jewish leaders send priests and temple assistants to ask him who he is? Is he the messiah? 

John 1:23 (NLT)

“John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

John understood something that I hadn’t understood my whole life up to reading that story the first time. It’s not about John. He understood that it was about Jesus coming to save us! They wanted to know who John was, but John wanted them to know who Jesus was. He understood that the meaning of life was to know God and have him be known! Today, the mission hasn’t changed. Jesus is coming back again! One last time and to reign with his disciples for eternity. That means, I need to live my life like that. The day I read those words was the day I decided to change everything about the way I lived. 

The Bible has finally changed my life! But, it took me intentionally diving into the Bible and seeing what God wanted to say; Not just finding a verse when it’s convenient. I had to fully go into scripture and be changed. My challenge to you, is the same challenge I was given. Read your bible every day! More than just a verse! And, I guarantee you, Jesus will change your life as you earnestly seek him and his Word!