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[Skip to content](https://www.shortform.com/blog/find-meaning-in-life/#main) [](https://www.shortform.com/) ### [Shortform Books](https://www.shortform.com/blog/ "Shortform Books") The World's Best Book Summaries Menu - [Home](https://www.shortform.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.shortform.com/pricing) - [About](https://www.shortform.com/about) - [Knowledge Hub](https://www.shortform.com/blog/hub?cta=blog_nav_menu) - [Sign Up for Free Summaries](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blogheaderbtn) # How to Find Meaning in Life: Speculation or Revelation?   Posted by [Elizabeth Whitworth](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/elizabeth/) \| Sep 10, 2021  [](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_topimg) This article is an excerpt from the [Shortform book guide to "The Purpose Driven Life"](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_toptextlink) by Rick Warren. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading. Like this article? [Sign up for a free trial here](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_topbtn) . How can you [find meaning in life](https://www.shortform.com/blog/how-to-find-meaning-in-your-life/)? Where should you look? At some point, you’ve likely asked yourself the same questions that people have been asking themselves for centuries: “Why am I here?” “What’s the [meaning of life](https://www.shortform.com/blog/what-gives-your-life-meaning/)?” “What’s my purpose?” In your quest to find meaning in life, you have a couple of options. You can guess, or you can look at scripture to see what the Creator has to say about life’s purpose. Read more to learn about these two routes you can take as you search to find meaning in life. ## The Quest to Find Meaning in Life We all want to find meaning in life. From a Christian perspective, the answer is at once simple and complex: God put you here to fulfill the purposes he’s planned for you. There are two routes you can take in your quest to find meaning in life and figuring out your purposes. ### Route \#1: Speculation For centuries, people have taken this route in an effort to find meaning in life, musing about life’s purpose, questioning their origins, and wondering what they should do with their time on earth. You’ve probably taken this route, too. You look *inward* for answers about [your purpose](https://www.shortform.com/blog/your-life-purpose/), asking yourself questions like: - “Why am I here?” - “What should I do with my life?” - “Am I going to make an impact on the world?” You’ve likely come up with a few ideas about what life is all about, such as personal fulfillment, [seeking happiness](https://www.shortform.com/blog/seeking-happiness/) or truth, career ambitions, or family. As a Christian, you assume that God is meant to help you fulfill these personal purposes. This inward-looking route will never provide you with clear answers—all you can do is speculate. ### Route \#2: Revelation On the other hand, looking *outward* to the Bible leads you to definitive answers about the meaning of your life. God has already explained the meaning of our lives—studying his Word *reveals* why we’re here, how life should work, and what’s waiting for us in the future and eternity. - You might think of it this way: You’re an invention created by God. It doesn’t make sense to ask yourself or other inventions about your function because they won’t know. **Only the inventor and his instruction manual can explain your function.** To find meaning in life, only God’s Word has answers that are coherent, clear, and satisfying. How to Find Meaning in Life: Speculation or Revelation? [](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_btmimg) ### ———End of Preview——— #### Like what you just read? [**Read the rest of the world's best book summary and analysis of Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" at Shortform**](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_btmtxt1) . Here's what you'll find in our **[full The Purpose Driven Life summary](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_btmtext2)** : - The meaning of life from a Christian perspective - The five purposes that you were created by God to fulfill - How to find the unique service you were made for [Get the world's best book summaries now](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_btmbtn) [Elizabeth Whitworth](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/elizabeth/) [September 10, 2021September 14, 2021](https://www.shortform.com/blog/find-meaning-in-life/ "5:19 pm") [Philosophy](https://www.shortform.com/blog/category/philosophy/), [Spiritual](https://www.shortform.com/blog/category/spiritual/) - [← “F-You Money”: The Key to Financial Security](https://www.shortform.com/blog/f-you-money/) - [Defeating the Temptation to Sin: The 4 Actions to Take →](https://www.shortform.com/blog/temptation-to-sin/)   #### Elizabeth Whitworth Elizabeth has a lifelong love of books. She devours nonfiction, especially in the areas of history, theology, and philosophy. A switch to audiobooks has kindled her enjoyment of well-narrated fiction, particularly Victorian and early 20th-century works. She appreciates idea-driven books—and a classic murder mystery now and then. Elizabeth has a Substack and is writing a book about what the Bible says about death and hell. #### You May Also Like [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/external-things/ "External Things Don’t Matter: Epictetus Explains a Key Stoic Idea") ### [External Things Don’t Matter: Epictetus Explains a Key Stoic Idea](https://www.shortform.com/blog/external-things/ "External Things Don’t Matter: Epictetus Explains a Key Stoic Idea") [Elizabeth Whitworth](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/elizabeth/) [December 21, 2022January 3, 2023](https://www.shortform.com/blog/external-things/ "9:24 pm") [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/visualization-techniques-for-manifestation/ "José Silva’s Visualization Techniques for Manifestation") ### [José Silva’s Visualization Techniques for Manifestation](https://www.shortform.com/blog/visualization-techniques-for-manifestation/ "José Silva’s Visualization Techniques for Manifestation") [Katie Doll](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/katie/) [October 16, 2023October 19, 2023](https://www.shortform.com/blog/visualization-techniques-for-manifestation/ "1:05 pm") [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/philosopher-alan-watts/ "Philosopher Alan Watts: A Cult Figure or a Great Bodhisattva?") ### [Philosopher Alan Watts: A Cult Figure or a Great Bodhisattva?](https://www.shortform.com/blog/philosopher-alan-watts/ "Philosopher Alan Watts: A Cult Figure or a Great Bodhisattva?") [Elizabeth Whitworth](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/elizabeth/) [July 6, 2023July 19, 2023](https://www.shortform.com/blog/philosopher-alan-watts/ "9:48 am") [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/how-to-accept-yourself/ "How to Accept Yourself Wholly and Unconditionally") ### [How to Accept Yourself Wholly and Unconditionally](https://www.shortform.com/blog/how-to-accept-yourself/ "How to Accept Yourself Wholly and Unconditionally") [Darya Sinusoid](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/darya/) [June 3, 2022June 14, 2022](https://www.shortform.com/blog/how-to-accept-yourself/ "3:30 am") [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/the-power-of-your-subconscious-mind-quotes/ "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind Quotes") ### [The Power of Your Subconscious Mind Quotes](https://www.shortform.com/blog/the-power-of-your-subconscious-mind-quotes/ "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind Quotes") [Darya Sinusoid](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/darya/) [November 10, 2021November 20, 2021](https://www.shortform.com/blog/the-power-of-your-subconscious-mind-quotes/ "6:03 pm") [](https://www.shortform.com/blog/personal-worldview/ "Developing and Navigating Your Personal Worldview") ### [Developing and Navigating Your Personal Worldview](https://www.shortform.com/blog/personal-worldview/ "Developing and Navigating Your Personal Worldview") [Elizabeth Whitworth](https://www.shortform.com/blog/author/elizabeth/) [August 23, 2021August 30, 2021](https://www.shortform.com/blog/personal-worldview/ "6:52 pm") ### Leave a Reply [Cancel reply](https://www.shortform.com/blog/find-meaning-in-life/#respond) [](https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?cta=blog_rightsidebar_img) - [Home](https://www.shortform.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.shortform.com/pricing) - [About](https://www.shortform.com/about) - [Knowledge Hub](https://www.shortform.com/blog/hub?cta=blog_nav_menu) Copyright © 2026 [Shortform Books](https://www.shortform.com/blog/ "Shortform Books") English - [Español](https://www.shortform.com/blog/es/find-meaning-in-life/ "Language switcher : Spanish") - [Deutsch](https://www.shortform.com/blog/de/find-meaning-in-life/ "Language switcher : German") - [Português Brasileiro](https://www.shortform.com/blog/pt-br/find-meaning-in-life/ "Language switcher : Brazilian Portuguese")

  How can you [find meaning in life](https://www.shortform.com/blog/how-to-find-meaning-in-your-life/)? Where should you look? At some point, you’ve likely asked yourself the same questions that people have been asking themselves for centuries: “Why am I here?” “What’s the [meaning of life](https://www.shortform.com/blog/what-gives-your-life-meaning/)?” “What’s my purpose?” In your quest to find meaning in life, you have a couple of options. You can guess, or you can look at scripture to see what the Creator has to say about life’s purpose. Read more to learn about these two routes you can take as you search to find meaning in life. ## The Quest to Find Meaning in Life We all want to find meaning in life. From a Christian perspective, the answer is at once simple and complex: God put you here to fulfill the purposes he’s planned for you. There are two routes you can take in your quest to find meaning in life and figuring out your purposes. ### Route \#1: Speculation For centuries, people have taken this route in an effort to find meaning in life, musing about life’s purpose, questioning their origins, and wondering what they should do with their time on earth. You’ve probably taken this route, too. You look *inward* for answers about [your purpose](https://www.shortform.com/blog/your-life-purpose/), asking yourself questions like: - “Why am I here?” - “What should I do with my life?” - “Am I going to make an impact on the world?” You’ve likely come up with a few ideas about what life is all about, such as personal fulfillment, [seeking happiness](https://www.shortform.com/blog/seeking-happiness/) or truth, career ambitions, or family. As a Christian, you assume that God is meant to help you fulfill these personal purposes. This inward-looking route will never provide you with clear answers—all you can do is speculate. ### Route \#2: Revelation On the other hand, looking *outward* to the Bible leads you to definitive answers about the meaning of your life. God has already explained the meaning of our lives—studying his Word *reveals* why we’re here, how life should work, and what’s waiting for us in the future and eternity. - You might think of it this way: You’re an invention created by God. It doesn’t make sense to ask yourself or other inventions about your function because they won’t know. **Only the inventor and his instruction manual can explain your function.** To find meaning in life, only God’s Word has answers that are coherent, clear, and satisfying.