Understanding Your PurposeSýnishorn

As the proud father of a very intelligent 9-year-old, I have a lot of experience hearing, “Why, Daddy?” after virtually every instruction or request. This has been going on for years, and I don’t think it will ever change. The desire to understand the reason for something is woven into all of us. Asking “why” expresses a desire to understand the purpose of something. As rational and reasoning beings, we are wired to have a “why”, a reason, a goal to move towards. For the most part, it is so natural that we don’t think about it. We eat to address our hunger and we drink to quench our thirst. We are designed this way. But what about life? Why do we live? Why are we here? What is the purpose of our existence?

Many people say, “Life is what you make it”, and believe that we make our own meaning. Some go as far as to declare, “Whatever you decide is what will be”. But if purpose is the reason or goal of one’s existence, then that means we had a purpose before we existed. It is essential that we consult the Creator of all living things about His reason for our existence.

After considering the joys, sorrows, and how brief life is on earth, the writer of Ecclesiastes describes God’s purpose for our lives quite simply: “Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind.” The Message’s translation of this passage puts it this way: “Fear God. Do what he tells you.”(Eccles. 12:13 MSG)

Some of us hear the word “fear” and believe we are supposed to cower and be afraid of God, keep our heads down, and focus on doing things for Him (and do them perfectly, at that). That interpretation misses both the meaning of this verse and the desire of God’s heart.

God is Holy, yet He invites us into His presence. As we draw near to encountering our God, like Moses at the burning bush, we are astonished, captivated, in awe, and sometimes paralyzed with amazement because He is so awesome. Nevertheless, we get to be curious, and intrigued, and are invited to pay attention to what He will share with us.

As you spend time before God today contemplating why He made you, consider what an honor it is that He invites you into His presence, to know and love Him. This is your primary purpose.