Throughout history mankind has wrestled with the question, “What is the meaning of life?”

In his book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the late Douglas Adams gave us his answer to that question: 42.   Some folks feel that is as good an answer as any.

However, while religious authorities offer a variety of more serious responses to that  query, I think I have the definitive answer to the question of why we exist: God created us for his own amusement.

Now, I don’t mean amusement in the sense of light entertainment, or some hobby used to kill time in Eternity, but more as the word is used in amusement park, a place where pleasure and joy are found.

From what I read in the Bible, I believe that everything that exists was created for God’s pleasure. The meaning of life is to give God joy.

While some people only ponder the meaning of life in the universal sense, Christians tend to get personal. We want to know God’s plan for each individual life, yours and mine.

But it is the same answer: God’s plan for my life is to give him joy. I was created for God’s amusement.

It’s tempting sometimes to think that God exists for what he can do for me, but that perspective is all wrong. Like a person thinking the sun revolves around the Earth, I’m missing the big picture.

Life isn’t about me; it’s about God. It’s all about what I can do for him.

But, what can a puny creature, such as I, do for the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal God?

I can amuse him. I can bring him pleasure and joy.

He has given each one of us unique personalities and talents, and provided us with a book that tells us how to use these gifts for his pleasure. That is his plan for each life; that we use what he’s given us to the fullest, according to the guidance he provides through his word and his spirit.

With God as the king of my life, it is an honor to be the court jester.

When I look at my life and ask the question, “Is God amused?” I pray that he is laughing out loud with joy.