Is this not a question we have pondered on at some point in our lives?
We wonder such things as, ‘I don’t know what to do next’; ‘I am searching for direction’; ‘I’m trying to find purpose’
I mean, two people come together, make love to each other, next thing, a human being is bearing the consequences of that enjoyable moment in time and lands in this world.
Is it that straight forward? We see our parents and the great things about them but we also see their human flaws and weaknesses. Even if they were the vessels through which we came into this world, could they ever come up with the wonderful creation that we are? Never.
There has to be a mystery behind through which we come into this world through two individuals who are as we are. There has to be a reason Someone designed this process and an intention for each individual in this world.
We all legitimately ask such questions of purpose but we commit a foolery when we look to fellow searchers in flesh and blood to discover this for us. Not even our parents are able to answer these longings out of our hearts.
What do we do?
Firstly, we must know the WHO is responsible for this process.
It might not be same for you but when I see a finished work, I am more fascinated about the individual who made it than the product itself.
It is why before watching a movie, using a product, reading a book or any other thing, you will find me googling or on Wikipedia to read about the person behind this creation.
A number of times, it’s turned out that I’m even more fascinated with the person who made it and end up not using the product but just reading and learning more about them.
A good example of this is C.H. Spurgeon. Reading his writings made me very fascinated with his life and I am probably on the way to becoming a Scholar on the life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. A digression.
In the case of our individual lives, it is no different. If we become so absorbed in ourselves and only us, we will never find that satisfying and wondrous purpose we came into this temporary world for.
The first thing is thing is to search for, know and be so consumed with knowing the WHO is responsible for the marvellous work that we are.
Who gave me this personality? Who determined my height? Who determined the part of the world I would be born into? Who put me in the family through which I came into this world? Who gave me my skin colour? Who put the void I feel in my heart despite having so many things?
The answer can only be found in the holy Book of Life:
“Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb…’
(Isaiah 44:2)
Yes, The Lord made us and He knows all about us. Why do we then seek to know ourselves? Why don’t we take our case to Him and see whether if we go before Him we will still be concerned with knowing ourselves or whether we will be so consumed with a desire to know Him that we don’t even remember the dust that we are.
Yes, we go through trials and very hard times in this life but does He shy away from His duty after He created us? Is He not responsible for maintaining the work of His own hands?
He is responsible and He promises: “I…will help you” and encourages us to “Fear not”
(Isaiah 44:2)
We all have one purpose in this world and this is because we all have the same unchanging Maker, “I am the God of ALL flesh”, so our singular and unified purpose is again found in the Book of Life and never anywhere else or in any man made thing:
“the people whom I formed for myself THAT THEY MIGHT DECLARE MY PRAISE”
(Isaiah 43:21)
We all have one purpose. The strategy and channel by which we fulfil that purpose completely differs from individual to individual. This way, we may stop competing with each other and start complimenting each other. We don’t look at the work of our hands and wonder if it is as good as another’s. Whether it is by being a housewife, data analyst, movie maker, hairdresser, movie maker, fitness instructor, writer, footballer, fashion designer, swimmer, doctor, Pastor, security guard, cook or whatever it is, we all have one purpose and it is TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
As long as we embark on even the noblest tasks outside of this motive, we will ask that long answered question, ‘Why am I here?’ until our deathbeds. To those who are yet to ask this question or are even indifferent about it, well…
Now, when we don’t seek to know our Maker and perhaps in the process find ourselves (in Him) or determine our purpose based on popular demand or someone else’s life style do we see how firstly we cheat ourselves and waste our already fleeting lives? Most importantly, do we see how we rob God of His praise and glory?
Even at that, we are not irreplaceable. If we decide not to praise and glorify God with all that is in us, the stones we walk on will rise up and do it. (Luke 19:40)
“You are not your own…”
(1 Corinthians 6:19)
I don’t know about you but this is one of the most liberating statements I ever came across and when we genuinely live for the glory of God, even though we are laughed at, avoided, lose friends, hated, abused, gossiped about, we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith and say with joy and confidence,
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
(Psalm 118:6)
Ha!
Thank You, Lord.