Our Souls Are Hungry for Meaning

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it. 

-Rabbi Harold Kushner

As we venture out in the world to find our calling, we can sometimes get lost along the way.  We don't do it on purpose but it can be overwhelming.  We're told to try new things but for some reason we can't seem to stick to the real good things.  The not-so-good things are very tempting, giving us instant gratification.

Fame
We see people who jump from being unknown to famous so quickly they let the intoxication of it lead them into poor decisions.

Comfort
We see people who seek out so much comfort that they are weakened by it, unable to be independent or finding fulfilling relationships.

Wealth
Wealth is a tool.  It can be used for great good, but it can be misused and money is spent on self-indulgence.

 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered      away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  -- 1 Timothy 6:10

It is a perversion for people to want to enjoy money, but merely to make use of God. Such people do not spend money for the sake of God but worship God for the sake of money.

St Augustine, City of God, Book XI, chapter 26

Power

We always hope power is used to bring people up and not to break them down.

But meaning?  What is meaning?

“Man does not simply exist, but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment.” – Dr. Viktor Frankl

But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.  --Exodus 9:16

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.  --Proverbs 20:5

Is meaning a life without fame, comfort, wealth, and power?  Or is it fame, comfort, wealth and power shared so more than one benefits?  So we all benefit together?

Mentoring and being mentored gives us meaning.  Mentoring means we are enjoying our interactions with people.  We are meant to grow together.

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."  --Genesis 2:18