A Life of Meaning

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Rev 4:11)

Why?

Why are we here? This question has both plagued and challenged humanity for generations. Is there an ultimate answer and clear answer for this perplexing question? As Christians we believe there is.  According to Scripture, we were created by God and for God. So the next question is…why? God is sufficient within Himself in need of nothing and no one. He doesn't "need" us, so why did He create us?

Why Me?

"Why am I here?" That question is answered in Genesis Chapter 1.  After each phase of creation, God "saw that it was good." According to Scripture, once He completed creating the heavens and the earth, the plant life and all the animals, He then created humanity:

• So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (Gen 1:27 CSB)

God created humanity in His own image and revealed His pleasure in His creation by entrusting them with them with His earth and giving them stewardship of it.

• God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." God also said, "Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth-- everything having the breath of life in it. I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. (Gen 1:28-30 CSB)

Why Am I Here? The Logical Conclusion

Why am I here? God created us because it pleased Him to do so. This is the message that reverberates through the corridors of the ancient text. You are created for God's pleasure. This glorious truth is unquestionably clear.

• For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16 CSB)

This is the truth and any other answer to the age old question is illogical and without hope so the next question you should ask yourself is - what do you do about it?

1. Be reconciled to God. How?  If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom 10:9 CSB)

2. Live in Relationship with God and God's People.  "Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Heb. 10:23-25 CSB) When Jesus redeems you and becomes Lord of your life His family becomes a priority. Because you love HIM you want to serve and obey HIM. Because HE has adopted you into HIS family you thrive and rejoice as you grow, learn and worship HIM with other family members, which make up the local community of faith.

3. Spend time with God every day. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. (Mark 1:35 CSB) Jesus is the ultimate pattern for how we should live our lives. Every day should begin with prayer and in reading the Word of God.

4. Make Christ's passion, your passion.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Mat 28:19-20 CSB) Before His crucifixion Jesus taught many things, but after His resurrection His message was singular and repetitive--take the gospel to those that do not have it and teach them to be disciples. The key to living a life of purpose filled with meaning is living a life in pursuit of obeying this great commission.