I wasn’t sitting.

I used to ponder why I couldn’t find more meaningful moments in my life. I would get consumed with FOMO (fear of missing out) when I would see my friends and colleagues doing and experiencing things that I thought I would love to do. I think it’s funny that regardless of life experience, background, wealth, health, relationship status, etc. we all have that feeling like we are missing out on something. We all are chasing meaning, and many of us look at the lives of others through our superficial lens to dictate where that meaning needs to come from.

If you are like I once was, thinking that you’d love to encounter more meaning in your life but not sure where to look, you’re probably already thinking about it too much! Meaning can be found in every single encounter and interaction that we have. If you are not careful, you spend too much time worrying about why you can’t find meaning, that you miss dozens of meaningful moments each day, which can turn into hundreds each month, and thousands each year.

Above all else, I find meaning in my lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I have made it a habit to pray each day for clarity on these meaningful moments so that don’t miss them. I ask that I am present enough to appreciate them and to be an active participant in each and every one.

Once a wise man was asked what is the meaning of life? He replied, ‘Life itself has no meaning. Life is an opportunity to create a meaning.’

-Unknown

This quote might be a little simplistic, but it gets to the heart of one of the best ways to truly find meaning in life. If you are intentional enough to look for it, meaning can be found in just about everything. That does not give us a free pass to be passive participants waiting for the meaning to come to our doorstep and ring the doorbell. Meaning comes from intentionality, and intentionality starts with having the presence of mind that to find it you must get off the couch and take the opportunity to create it yourself.

After evaluating some of the “meaningful” moments in life there is a theme I found in all of them. I wasn’t sitting. Creating meaning, just like anything else in life, starts one step at a time. That first step almost always starts with the simple act of standing up.

I was standing at the altar when I said I do to the most wonderful person in the world.

I was standing during the birth of my three kids.

I was standing when I accepted a doctorate degree and the pinnacle of my education.

I was standing when I decided to take my health back and run that first mile.

I was standing in worship when I truly decided to live a life worthy of the sacrifice of God’s only son.

To find meaning, you must first stand up. If you are willing to stand, you will be willing to face your fears, take a leap of faith, show someone you care for them, and live a life worthy of appreciation when you look back on your deathbed. If you are able, stand, because meaning will almost certainly follow closely behind.