Is there meaning in what you do? It is an honest question, one I ask myself often and I encourage you to do the same. It is all too easy to fall into survival mode, a mode in which we operate with goals accounting to only maintaining the status quo of our lives. This mode keeps us tied up in knots. It tells us not to rock the boat, to stay under the radar, to just skate on through. But what kind of life is that, really?

I never want to be known as average. I don’t want my legacy at the end of my life to be merely ordinary. This is not because I have some delusions of grandeur, or think that I have a more special calling than everyone around me. On the contrary, I believe that we are all called to live extraordinary lives, full of love, passion, and meaning. In Psalm 139:14 we are reminded that God fearfully and wonderfully created us. Such a statement does not correlate well with the words “average” or “ordinary.” We were created by the God of the Universe to be wonderful. No pressure, right?

The great thing is that there really is no pressure. Each one of us was designed to be exactly who we are. Our passions, the things that give us joy and amazement – these are who we are and what we are supposed to be about. That is why I ask the question, “Is there meaning in what you do?” because doing anything else is not just settling, it is a betrayal to your true purpose in life.

If there is meaning in what you do, if you are truly passionate and dedicated to your cause (your job, business, ministry, or whatever that may be), then everything else begins to fall into place. Don’t get me wrong: it is not all easy and downhill. Normally, doing anything with meaning is an uphill fight, but it does not matter because it is worth it to you.

Here is the best part. When you are living a life of meaning, it is not a selfish pursuit. It is a selfless pursuit. You can’t help but serve others by simply doing what you do. Your skills and talents can be fully developed for the benefit of those around you. You will make a positive impact on the people you come in contact with. Not only will your talents be used to help people, but your commitment and passion will inspire others to follow and do the same.

If there is meaning in what you do, it does not become a pursuit of wealth and riches (though that may be a result, or not). The goal becomes furthering your cause, impacting those around you, continually developing your talents, and even sharing your knowledge with others. It does not matter what you do in life, There are not more worthy careers than others. What matters is that you are doing what matters to you so that you can live a life that matters. A life fulfilled by service, commitment, a caring heart, and a burning passion…this is when you know that there is meaning in what you do.