The Purpose of Human Life
Many people walk through life without a purpose. They do have jobs, but work only for food and pleasures. However, life is far greater than that.
Certainly, God has a purpose for the life of each of us. Until we discover that purpose and pursue it, we cannot be satisfied with life, no matter the achievements already attained!
Consequently, at one or other point(s) in life, one wonders, “Why am I here?…Why am I created?” Or, ‘what’s the purpose of life?’ This happens often when one is faced with the drowning challenges of life.
Meanwhile, the Bible throws in the light; that, the basic purpose of human life is: Man is made to work with God, in fellowship with Him. This is the master key to opening the door to the hall of wealth of life! The scripture reads:
“Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.”(Genesis 2:19)
But man lost this partnership-with-God in Adam as a result of his sin. Nonetheless, this honour is restored to us in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:19)
Hence, everyone in Christ is “God’s workmanship” for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Life’s Purpose and Daily Job
The work we daily do and our life purpose are not always the same. There are cases that a job is a means to carry out one’s life purpose.
An example is King David who started as a shepherd to prepare him to rule Israel faithfully.
Another example is an old colleague, Odao, whose life purpose is “to solve national problems by changing the status quo”. He is a teacher, and a passive politician but warming up to go active in future.
The Implications of Man-God Partnership
• Man is God-like: He is an image of God.(Genesis 1:26-28) Every man has dominion power: the mind power. That means each person has creative power: Whatever he imagines, he can bring it to exist. Man is the chief host on earth to all of creation. He therefore is accountable for the quality of the environment. No man is useless in the hand of the Living God (regardless of physical challenges.) Proverbs 16:4. Every man (in Christ) has a role to play in making the world better. (Ephesians 2:10) Everyone is created for a purpose.
Finding Your Purpose in Life
To say, “My purpose in life is to live a long and happy life” is no purpose. The glory of life is not in the number of years but in the number of souls touched for good.
Also, to say, “My purpose is to be a successful entrepreneur,” is not a well defined purpose.
Essentially, a life purpose must answer the question, “What are you doing for others?” asked by the African American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jnr.
Obviously, we cannot be fulfilled until we discover the purpose of our life and pursue it. But how do we discover it?
Life’s purpose can hardly be discovered through “trial and error”, trying new things. This often leads to frustration.
The surest way is to find our purpose through God (in earnest prayer); and until we realise that, life will never make sense to us.
Writing on purpose-driven life, Rick Warren remarked, “It’s NOT about you.” It’s all about pursuing God to determine what role He’ll have you to play in the work He’s already doing on earth.
Summary
Everyone is created to add value to life — to his own life as well as others’.
Moreover, we can only find meaning in life when we discover God’s purpose for our life and pursue it.
In our close relationship with God, we can ask Him to reveal His purpose for our being. He surely will do, especially in leading our thoughts.
Certainly, having a driving divine purpose in life is one of the fundamental factors of joyfulness. Without it, one shall live life less focused, less efficient and less effective.
Concisely, life purpose answers the question, “What are you doing for others?”
What Do You Think?
- Could you find a Bible passage to support a popular adage, “You don’t live for yourself only but others”?
- Write down your life’s purpose. If not certain of it yet, earnestly ask God.
- Complete this statement: I am precious to God because………………………………………..(Give more one or two reasons.)
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