Pastor Ryan of Palm Valley Church: This is the most fundamental question that human beings ask. It is not a modern question. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It has been asked since the beginning of mankind itself.
Where does one search for the answer to such an important question?
Philosophy? Logical thought? Experience?
Our fundamental beliefs about how we got here in the first place should set the trajectory for this search. There are essentially two options: 1) We are created beings designed by a creator. 2) We are the result of random chance—the right elements with enough energy and a lot of time, and here we are.
If you tend to believe that we are here by random chance and natural selection over time, you might have a very difficult time developing an ultimate purpose for human beings. We can develop reasons why we should live and what we should accomplish with our time here on earth using logic and philosophical discussion, but it won’t be universal. Your conclusions are just as valid as my conclusions.
If you believe the first option is correct—that we are created beings designed by a creator—then, as a created intentional being, we derive our purpose from the one who created us. If I make a tool, I don’t wait for it to tell me its purpose or how to use it. I created it for a specific purpose and defined its use by its design. So if we want to know what our purpose is, why we exist, we must turn to our Creator.
Fortunately for us the scriptures are very clear regarding God’s purpose for creating us.
“Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.” Isaiah 43:7
There it is: We exist to bring God glory. Therefore, our purpose in life is to glorify Him. This is such a broad purpose, which can be helpful in the sense that it can be easily remembered and repeated (“our purpose in life is to glorify God”), yet it is also difficult in that we struggle with the specifics. How do I actually glorify God with my life?
The dictionary defines “glorify” in this way:
1. Praise and worship (God). 2. Acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendor of (God) by one’s actions.
The first part of this definition is the most obvious. When we praise and worship God, we are glorifying Him. The second part, however, is the most helpful in our discussion about purpose. When our actions acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendor of God, we are glorifying Him. When we follow God’s commands, we bring Him glory. When we give Him credit for everything that comes into our lives by words or attitude, we are glorifying Him. When we point others to the works of God, we are glorifying Him. Even things that might at first seem non-spiritual, like our vocation, when done for God’s pleasure, bring glory to Him. It doesn’t take long to figure out how quickly our lives can be filled with bringing glory to God. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Our lives are to be lived for an audience of one. God created us in His image to live in relationship with him and be His image bearers in this world. This is not a life of deprivation; it is a life of joy and fulfillment.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2
Jennifer: Countless times in my office, people have wrestled with this question. I, too, searched for a long time until I read Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life, which says this same thing. It’s all for Him.
I’ve also noticed that God blesses my pursuits that give me the opportunity to glorify Him. I’ve had several different businesses in recent years, and my work as a psychologist is the only one that’s paid my bills. I truly believe this is because I am often able to use my work to glorify God in words and attitude. My other businesses do not yield the same success.
Not sure how this translates for you? I’ve had many patients who would like to glorify God but aren’t yet brave enough to talk directly to others about Him. I encourage those people to start by living their lives in a way that makes others say, “I’ll have what she’s having!”
