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