“Who am I and why am I here?” is the first and foremost question in Philosophy 101 and at the end of the Ph.D. It’s a question that men and women have pondered since the beginning of time.
Turns out, there are two kinds of people. One who noodles over this kind of question and another who says, “Hand me another beer!” and moves on.
Deep inside all of us there’s a basic curiosity. If the world didn’t "just happen,” and it wasn’t “from goo to you via the zoo,” and if the “big bang” started with a “big banger,” then why was the universe created? Why would God create this unique species called "man" and make him so different from all the others? Why is my ability to reason, create, fly and build so far beyond any other living thing?
More specifically, why would God create me?
I don’t have the intellect or energy to think about the “big picture” stuff for very long. When people discuss the question, “Where did God come from?” I claim both ignorance and apathy--the place where “I don’t know” meets “I don’t care.” I know God is real and that He saved me from a life of selfishness and destructive behavior. I know He’s here with me and for me every day. I’m less like Aristotle and more like the man in John’s gospel who was born blind: “[The blind man] replied, whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25)
So, if God loves me and I want to love Him back, what should I do in order to glorify Him? If he invented work before the fall, then what kind of work should I do? Do I float around singing hymns all day? Do I become a monk and meditate for hours and days on end? Do I have to quit my job and become a minister or preacher?
I’m actually not capable of doing all those things. I want to be all in, all the time, but I’m not a preacher. I’m not a monk. And I don’t sing so great.
But if I am unique, if I’m “fearfully and wonderfully made,” if God is my Perfect Father, then there’s a unique role for me to play. A unique purpose for me in this world. “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1)
There’s not a simple formula or equation that will tell you the purpose of your life. But there is a path to travel, in collaboration with your Heavenly Father, which just might help you get a bead on your purpose. It’s hard work and it’ll require lots of starts and restarts, but I believe it’s worth it.
Question: Do you know why you were created and brought to this point in your life? What would God have you do with what He’s given you?
