Why am I here? Alive on this earth? It’s a question we all ask; rooted in our nature. We’re driven to find purpose and meaning, but what does this mean – for life to have meaning?
If no one ever acknowledges my life, considers how I’ve lived or what I’ve done, I have no purpose. Having meaning implies being acknowledged, understood and evaluated: judged.* But by whom?
In the end, Man can’t give me meaning; I can’t give myself or others purpose. Living just to please others is empty. (Ga 1:10)
Only the One Who made me gives me purpose; Jehovah designs and creates each of us for a reason, and this defines our purpose. In Him I find my race, my course. (2Ti 4:7-8)
God gives each of us unique gifts, dispositions and opportunities (1Co 12:8-11) so that we can fulfill God’s unique purpose in creating us. He commands each of us to diligence in finding our calling, making sure of it (2Pe 1:10), for it’s in leveraging my own unique design to serve and honor God the best I know how that I discover my course and run my race. (Ro 12:6-8)
I can’t spend my life trying to exercise other people’s gifts; I’m not designed to do everything for God. (Jn 21:22) What I do best is where I fit in His kingdom; it’s where I belong, for His glory. (Re 3:12)
In the end, only one thing matters: hearing God say, “Well done.” (Mt 25:23)
*See first comment below
* Our innate quest to be significant and meaningful is evidence of God’s unique design in each of us, and of His intention to hold us accountable for the way we live our lives. In giving us the parable of the talents (below), Yeshua implies we have a moral responsibility to leverage our gifts, abilities and opportunities to serve God as well as we are able, and that God will consider what we have done with them. (vs 15) To neglect our gifting, or to abuse it for selfish interests, is to displease and offend our Heavenly Father. When, we’re trying our best to serve God He’ll help us; but not trying isn’t an option.
Lk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Lk 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Lk 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
Lk 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Lk 19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
Lk 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Lk 19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
Lk 19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
Lk 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
Lk 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Lk 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Lk 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Lk 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Lk 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
Lk 19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
Lk 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
Lk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.