“Why am I here on earth?” is a question that has probably troubled each of us. After all, we assume that everything around us has a purpose. For example, when I come across a new gadget, I immediately wonder what it’s for. I presume that someone put time and energy into building it for a reason. So it must be the same with us, right?
Fortunately, God has given us clues as to the reasons for our existence.
God created us because he wanted us. (1) This might seem obvious, but it’s nonetheless essential to note. No one twisted God’s arm; he desired to make us. Everything about us – our emotional makeup, mental abilities, and physical body – was meticulously planned and designed. Nothing about us was done in a haphazard or willy-nilly way. (2) We are who we are because it was God’s plan. Of course, human rebellion and sin have affected and tainted every part of our existence, but his love for us has not changed.
God created us for himself. (3) The famous mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal expressed the idea that there was a God-shaped vacuum in every person’s heart. It’s no accident that humans have an intrinsic yearning for their Creator. Although expressed in different ways, this yearning points to one truth: we were created for someone higher than ourselves. Not only did God want us, but he wanted us for himself.
All this leads to the question, “Why would God even bother?”
God created us for his glory. (4) This sounds well and good, but what exactly does it mean? Let me start with an illustration. I love my cat, but if I show him a gorgeous picture or play soul-stirring music for him, he’s completely oblivious. He’s incapable of responding because he’s not designed for that (now, bring him a mouse, and that’s a different story).
On the other hand, human beings can respond to the beauty and inspiration around us. God tailor-made us to recognize and react to his glory, which is his majesty, splendor, honor, and the sum of all his attributes. What’s more, the Lord went a step further by enabling us to reflect his glory as well. We have the incredible ability and privilege to show all creation who God is and what he’s like. We do this by being his image-bearer and reflecting his attributes in our lives.
To conclude, I can summarize all three aspects by saying that we were created to love and be loved by God. Since we’re all precious to him, he wants us to love one another as well. The Lord designed us for relationships, so it’s no wonder they are our greatest sources of joy or pain. God didn’t need us, but he wanted to share himself with us so we could know and enjoy him, so he could enjoy us, and so together we could delight in our relationships with other people.
When we recognize our raison d’être, it becomes easier to live with purpose, make wise choices, and prepare for eternity.
(1) Revelation 4:11
(2) Psalm 139:13–16
(3) Colossians 1:16
(4) Isaiah 43:7
This Post Has 2 Comments
Thanks, Carol. This is the exact thing that I have been looking recently. The image of God was given to us so that we might enter into a bond of fellowship with God. We are from Him and through Him, that we might be forever to Him. The goal or end of God’s work of creation (and redemption) was our consummate union and communion with Him, beyond the presence of sin, Satan, and the threat of death. He takes us to Himself both as diverse individuals and the unified, corporate body and bride of Christ, reflections of the tri-unity of God. What comfort comes from knowing that nothing can separate us what He has purposed for us, which is bestow himself upon us in an everlasting relationship that reflects the depths of His grace and glory. Thank you for lifting our eyes heavenward.
Amen! You put it beautifully. 🙂