Life’s True Meaning

Tom Barnard

 

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

 

Victor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning

 

When Victor Frankl was arrested by the Nazis during World War II, he was stripped of everything of value he owned. His only possession when he arrived at Auschwitz was a manuscript of a book he had been working on for a very long time. To preserve it from confiscation, Frankl had sewn it into the lining of his coat. When he was searched, his manuscript was found and was taken from him. Later he wrote, “I found myself confronted with the question of whether under such circumstances my life was ultimately void of any meaning.”

 

Apparently in an effort to keep prisoners from accumulating anything worthwhile, the Germans routinely forced prisoners to give up their clothing and in return they were issued clothing taken from other prisoners on their way to the gas chambers. In the garment of the old clothing re-issued to Frankl was a torn piece of paper—a portion of a page from a Hebrew prayer book. On it was part of the Jewish prayer—Shema Yisrael—“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one God.”

 

Later Frankl wrote, “How should I have interpreted such a ‘coincidence’ other than as a challenge to live my thoughts instead of merely putting them on paper?” From that experience Frankl concluded, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

 

Why did God allow Frankl to be robbed of his precious manuscript? Why did God send to Frankl a prayer that been concealed by a prisoner on his way to the gas chamber? I believe God knew that what Frankl needed at that moment was prayer—not a manuscript.

 

Are you frustrated because an opportunity you believe God was opening to you suddenly was jerked out of your hands and replaced by something less significant and meaningful? Maybe God wants you to turn away from your personal goals and let him set the agenda for you.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me many “whys” to live for. Thank you for forcing me to adjust to your timetable and tasks rather than rely on my own. While I am not always comfortable with what I think is “Plan B,” I want to be content in the reality that my plans must always be secondary to God’s Plans. Forgive me for wanting to dictate my directions in life rather than seek yours.  Finally, teach me the peace and comfort that comes to me in prayer. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.