Why Am I Here?

To the universally oft-asked question, “Why am I here?” or “Why do we exist?” the Bible gives us a two-fold reason.

The first is found in Acts 17:26, 27. In this passage we read that God created us that we should seek Him. Herein lies a purpose that must define how we ought to live each day of our existence. To seek God is to make the invisible Creator the source of everything we need. It is to run to the Self-sufficient, Almighty One for all that concerns us and our life. 

By habit, we run to what we see and consider strong. With our limited understanding, we seek help from or depend on that that which appeals to our wisdom and known senses. But Isaiah 31:1 says, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help (Egypt is an expression for the world), and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” Psalm 147:10 continues in the same vein saying, “He (God) does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favours those who fear Him, those who wait for His loving kindness.”

Though this was my mindset in the past, as a new creation in Jesus, I can now walk with a mind not conformed to the world, but one renewed by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:2). As one who walks in the newness of life (Rom. 6:4), I have opportunity to seek my Creator and make Him the one and only source I run to each day. For from Him, the Maker of heaven and earth comes help (Psa. 121:2). From Him who is perfect and never makes a mistake comes all wisdom. Power and might is from the sovereign One who rules in majesty from generation to generation. Because He is eternal, I can trust my tomorrows into His hand knowing that He will always guide me into that which is for my welfare, not for my calamity; a life with future and hope (Jer. 29:11). I can run to Him whose love for me is immeasurable because He will never let me stray to the left or to the right but keep me in the centre of His perfect will. I can rest in the confidence that because I trust in the One who holds me in the cup of His hand and walk righteously before Him, my steps are ordained and secure. Though I stumble, He will not let me fall headlong (Psa. 37:23, 24). I can cast all my worries on Him who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psa. 121:3) because He cares for me (1Pet. 5:7). He knows my need before I can even ask Him (Mt. 6:8). He is able to fill every lack and provide for every need because all things are sustained by Him. For this reason Paul writes to the Philippian Church and exhorts them to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make their request known to God. It is interesting that the apostle does not stop there. He identifies a benefit that results from such seeking – the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Php. 4:6, 7).

So like the Psalmist who responded when God said to him, “Seek My face,” let us with absolute trust and confidence say, “Thy face O Lord, I shall seek.” (Psa. 27:8)       

The second reason for our existence we read of in Ephesians 2:10 – to do good works. As God’s workmanship, we have been created in Christ Jesus that we can use our entire being and all that we have been blessed with to do good. Behind this is a selfless attitude that lives not for oneself (Php. 2:3, 4). When I live each moment of every day employing the members of my body – my mind, hands, tongue, yes, my entire being – no longer for myself to walk in my lusts and desires but for Him who died and rose again on my behalf (2Cor. 5:15), I am demonstrating the essence of the new creature that I am in Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:17). When I use each part of my being with the sole ambition to please my Master (2Cor. 5:9) who in righteousness and holiness has made His dwelling place in me (1Cor. 3:16), I am fulfilling the very reason I was given to exist (Gen. 1:26a). As an outcome of living selflessly God-ward, I automatically find a change in my attitude men-ward. We are told of our Lord Jesus that in the years that He walked on this earth, He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). What is written of Him in the 3½ years of service was an outcome of His attitude to His Father – to do God’s will (Heb. 10:7; Jn. 4:34).

So brethren, like the Holy One who called us, let us be holy ourselves also in all our behavior (1Pet. 1:14). We will find that as His chosen people, we will shine forth as light (Mt. 5:16) and proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Pet. 2:9).

Let us remember that whatever God does in His eternal, perfect wisdom is never aimless nor does it lack purpose. He planned long before He even created anything (Eph. 1:4) – when there was nothing but God alone – that we should exist on this terrestrial ball for a time as short as a handbreadth (Psa. 39:5). He purposed that while here, we should seek Him though He is not seen and He would reveal Himself to us though He is not far from us. He intended that we use our fearfully and wonderfully crafted being (Psa. 139:14) as instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13) and love and truth (Eph. 5:9). Then, after the short span of time on earth is over, that we be with Him for eternity. We can be certain that if the things that are to pass away were created in awesome power and majesty, greater and far more glorious will be the things that remain – things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor. 2:9).  

It is evident that we missed the purpose and lost our way in years past. We got carried away with what the world defined as the purpose of life – wealth, control and fame. But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord for the mercy He has shown to us. In His infinite goodness He has restored us once again to the plan He so wonderfully intended for us from the beginning. 

Jesus has already told us that He has come to give us life (existence, both here on earth and in eternity) in all its fullness (Jn. 10:10) – a life that is meaningful, blessed (Eph. 1:3) and the way our perfect Father has intended. Though in this world we will have trouble (Jn. 16:33), let us walk with zeal and focus to fulfill the reason of our existence. And lo! He is with us always, even to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20).