Why Am I Here?

Recently, the department I work in was gathered together and our leader had us take out a piece of paper and write #1. Then we were to write our answer to this question; “Why am I here?” No context was given to the question. We had to write whatever we thought in relation to that question. How would you answer this question if your boss surprised you with this question where you work? Go ahead, pause a moment, to think about this question in your context.

Immediately, I began wondering about the context of this question. Is he asking in the context of the mission of our department? Or is this more about my overall response to why I exist as a person? I chose the latter because I believe this is more important and since I wasn’t given any specific context to do otherwise. So, my first thought was how God’s Word answers this question because as a Christ-follower I tend to view life through a biblical lens. And the first verse that popped into my mind was 1 Cor. 10:31 ESV (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) and I wrote “1 Cor. 10:31 .. Glorify God in all I am and do.”

I believe this is a good overall purpose verse for God’s people. There are other verses that I did not write down. For example; Col. 1:16 ESV (For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.), Rom. 8:29 ESV (For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.), Phili. 3:14 ESV (I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.)

Ultimately, I believe God’s Word teaches that we exist for His glory which means with our lives, through who we are and what we do and don’t do, we are to bring honor and pleasure to our Creator God. I think this is a central purpose to why we exist. We can get more specific about Christ-centeredness and Christ-likeness but glorifying God in all we are and do is to be the overarching thrust.

I felt good about my written answer to my leader’s #1 question “Why am I here?” How do you feel about your answer? Then my leader surprised me when he asked us to write #2 and answer why we wrote what we wrote for #1. Hmmmm! Now I have to dissect this some more. You try it. Take a moment and ponder why you answered the way you did for the #1 question.

My answer for #2 was “My great purpose in living as a Christ-follower according to Scripture.” Then he did it again. We were to write #3 and answer why we wrote what we wrote for #2. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #2 question.

My answer for #3 was “The Holy Spirit revealed this truth to me and compels me to answer this way.” Then our leader repeated the same thing for #4. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #3 question.

My answer for #4 was “There is a God who has revealed truth through Holy Scripture about Himself, us, and His redemption plan and purpose for us. Then one last time for question #5, I answered why I wrote what I wrote for #4. You try it. Answer why you answered the way you did in the #4 question.

My answer for #5 was “I believe this truth by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord.”

 If you wrote these questions down it would look like this:

1) Why Am I here?
 

2) Why did you answer the way you did for question #1?

3) Why did you answer the way you did for question #2?

4) Why did you answer the way you did for question #3?

5) Why did you answer the way you did for question #4?

 

I admit I felt very challenged personally to keep writing why I answered the previous answer all the way back to why I answered what I did for the question “Why am I here?”

This was an exercise of introspection/self-reflection to explore the question of “Why am I here?” I encourage you to explore this question yourself and look to the Holy Scriptures, God’s Word for truth statements about this subject.

  

Why am I here?

 

Why do I exist?

 

What is my overall purpose in this life?

 

Why did I answer these questions the way I answered them?

  

Mike

Be Careful Eyes What You See, Ears What You Hear

I recently heard an incoming @LibertyU student say something like this, “Watching R-rated movies is not a problem for me. I don’t do what they do in the movie. I am entertained.” This was his reaction upon learning that the student conduct code at this school prohibits watching such movies while enrolled as a student at this school.

His statement stirred my soul to write a little bit about being careful with what we watch and listen to.

Sure, an enrolled student at this school is to submit to their governing authorities (Rom. 13), but I’m more concerned with what we watch and listen to, how we are influenced, and how God’s Word guides us in this matter.  

This is an ongoing struggle in my life and I have been a Christ follower for over 35 years and a pastor for 13. In my lifetime I have certainly seen shows with excessive foul language, graphic sexual scenes, and extreme violence not to mention a smattering of condoned immoral behavior but, praise God, I have been improving over the years at avoiding such things. And here’s why, God’s Word for God’s people.

For example, in short phrases; be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:14-16), do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31), be perfect as God is perfect (Mt. 5:48), be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1), become more like Christ (Rom. 8:29, 2 Cor. 3:18), walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him (Col. 1:10). Are we considering these passages when we watch TV-Internet-Movies-Videos? How about a more specific verse; Ps. 101:3a ESV I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless (belial: wicked, evil, ungodly, good for nothing). This is the sort of high standard that God expects from His people, that pleases and honors God and I struggle to meet it consistently. Maybe we know these verses and what they mean but do we put them on the shelf, so to speak, when it comes to our precious entertainment habits?

Sometimes I feel like a slave to entertainment viewing. It has its grips in me and won’t let go. Some shows can be addictive in our flesh and we seek to justify that it’s okay to view questionable content so we can keep feeding these desires. This is an ongoing struggle in my life and maybe you can relate.

I remember when I was heartbroken back in early 1996 from an ended relationship and I turned to God with an “all in” submission like never before. It was soon after that God called me to fulltime pastoral ministry. For several weeks I totally abstained from entertainment viewing. Then, I slowly returned to watching some shows but with much more discernment than before. For example, I remember watching one late night weekend show and thinking no way should I be watching this foul content because I was convicted that it was not honoring to God for me to be entertained by this immoral junk and I did not want to have memories of it linger.

I have cut back on watching shows and videos in recent years. It helps to discontinue the cable or satellite TV packages, although I miss that NFL Sunday Ticket (Go Bucs!). There are plenty of redeeming things to do instead. I do have Internet streaming ability for free and pay per viewing is available and I occasionally rent videos, or go to the theater but usually with God-honoring discernment.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ESV but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

I like to look for written reviews for shows ahead of time from a Christian perspective like at www.pluggedin.com which points out foul language, sexual content, negative content, spiritual content along with positive content. I have turned away from many shows/videos based on these reviews. Sometimes I don’t agree with the reviews and their advice and sometimes I regret that I viewed something whether I had prior knowledge of red flags or not.

Sometimes I’ll watch a show, but over time, I sense that the content is a negative influence on me that is a hindrance to me becoming more like Christ, so I stop watching it. Recently, my wife and I began streaming a SciFi show that we thought was original and creative. After a few episodes, a whorehouse, lesbian/adulterous affair, and a lot of one woman’s skin in the bath tub were all being highlighted. I told my wife, “I am really bothered by this content . I will be tempted to lust after this character if I keep watching. I’m not going to watch this anymore.” So, we both dropped it. I see this type of decision making as our proper response to the Holy Spirit led convictions within us.

It bothers me down deep to hear certain foul language, the Lord’s name in vain, suicide scenes, sexual scenes, various immoral behaviors, victimizing of people, the occult at work, and stories that are void of God and have no redeeming characters, no hope, etc...  I think this sort of stuff contaminates the soul, at least a little bit at a time.

 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.

I think this Bible verse can be applied to what we view and listen to. Some TV shows, movies, and videos are just plain bad company and they will contaminate our minds and hearts. I think we are spiritually naïve to think they don’t or won’t.

I read a couple good chapters recently about this overall subject. Not Even a Hint; Guarding Your Heart Against Lust, Joshua Harris, Multnomah Publ,; Chp.7 and Soul Detox; Clean Living in a Contaminated World, Craig Groeschel, Zondervan Publ., Chp10

Here are some quotes from Joshua Harris:

“If you can’t bow your head and sincerely thank God for a movie….then for you that activity is wrong.” Pg121

“Jesus Christ died to rescue me from darkness and sin. How can I willingly immerse myself in that darkness for the sake of entertainment? What a tragedy it is that I’ve sat idly by during movies and television shows and watched the very sin for which Christ had to die being laughed about, even celebrated.” Pg124-125

 Here are some quotes from Craig Groeschel:

“Just because something doesn’t bother you doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t.” Chp10

“Am I being entertained by sin? Is this pleasing to God? Does this lure me away from Christ?” Chp10

These verses and these quotes really stand out to me, to invoke change in my life that I am more careful and God-honoring about what I see and what I listen to when it comes to my entertainment choices. How about you? How are you careful and God-honoring about what you see and hear when it comes to entertainment?

Mike