THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

“The purpose of life is not to be happy.”

CHARLES CURTMAN

Nov 10, 2025

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” These are words that are not only wise, but universally inspirational and applicable at any age — applicable that is, for those who (1) are humble enough to acknowledge anything that is clearly wrong in the way they think, talk or behave and (2) are willing to replace what is wrong in their lives with that which is right.

More importantly, we have this from our Creator: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecc. 12:13), and “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

The bottom line where the “whole duty,” and therefore the “purpose” of life is concerned is that we personally demonstrate, on a day-to-day basis, a sincere reverence of God and respect towards all of His commandments (Ecc. 12:13). The true purpose of life is to engage in a deliberate pursuit of practical righteousness in our lives, the reward for which is a blessedness beyond imagination (Eph. 3:20).

Of course none of this is possible outside ones having a personal relationship with God, which is available to all who have experienced “Rpentance towards God and fiath in our Lord Jesus CHrist” (Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 20:21).

C.R. Curtman is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.