What Is My Purpose?
One of the most important questions in life is, “Why am I here?” It is natural for us to ask about our purpose. Is it something we must figure out for ourselves? Or is there another way to discern the meaning of our existence?
Christianity affirms that we have a greater purpose than mere self-actualization, self-fulfillment, or even happiness. This purpose is revealed in the Bible. The Bible affirms that all things are made for God’s glory and pleasure. The great purpose of human existence is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This answer begins a historically important Reformed Confession, the Shorter Catechism. Its first question asks, “What is the chief end of man?” It answers, “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” This is the great purpose toward which every human life is drawn.
What does it mean that we are drawn toward this purpose? It means that there is an inner voice that calls us to God and his purposes. Theologian N. T. Wright calls this the “echo of a voice.” It is not so loud that it overwhelms us, but not so soft that we do not hear it. It is the echo of a profound longing deep within the human spirit. Christianity affirms that this is the voice of God. If we will listen to it, it will draw us to the one place that offers fulfillment and meaning — the presence and purposes of the living God.
What is the glory of God? It is the revealing of his nature. God is glorious. We do not experience the unfiltered presence of God. The scriptures affirm that God’s purity is such that no human can see God and live. What we see are glimpses and evidences of God’s majesty and presence. The Bible says that the “heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The created order reflects God’s majesty: in orange sunsets, snowcapped mountain peaks, intricate flowers, and majestic sea creatures. Our own creation also reflects the majesty of God in such delights as the laughter of children and the joys of human love.
How can human beings glorify God? We recognize and name his glory. We name his glory by giving him praise. It is humbling to think that human beings can glorify God. Certainly, God needs no glory from us. His glory is sufficient in itself without affirmation from us. Yet God accepts glory from the humans he has created. In fact, he has made us with mouths and given us language for this purpose. Not only do we use our words to relate to others but in praise to God. When we praise God with our lips, we fulfill one of the purposes for which they are given us and for which we are made.
The hope of the Christian faith is that we will enjoy God for eternity. There are benefits in this life as well as in the life to come for those who have faith in Jesus. Even now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become participants in God’s divine nature. We are transformed from one degree of glory to another and are escorted by Christ into the loving communion of the Trinity. These benefits are profound. Who are we that the Holy Spirit should unite with our spirits? Who are we that Christ’s spiritual nature should live in us? Who are we that we experience the same love that the Trinity experiences in its communal life? It is hard to overstate the wonder of what we are promised and experience in Jesus Christ.