Why Am I Here?
erhaps the oldest question mankind has asked himself is “Why am I here?” It is known as the fundamental existential question, which stems other questions like: “What is the meaning of life?”, or, “Why did God create us?” They are all good questions and many have struggled with them over the centuries. The truth of the matter is, God has given us the answer in His Holy Word. Unfortunately, many just do not like the answer.
Truth #1: Mankind does not have the answer within himself.
There have been many world-famous philosophers like: Aristotle, Socrates, Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Bertrand Russell, and Viktor Frankl who have valiantly attempted to answer these questions. Yet, each have fallen short for one main reason — they are all human. Because they are finite, mortal human beings, they are limited in the scope of their perspective and can’t possibly know things that are infinite and beyond our physical existence (aka: metaphysics). To answer such questions requires knowledge that far exceeds our limited ability.
Truth #2: The Bible is the only place that answers such foundational questions.
Only the Bible reveals that a being with a higher power and supreme knowledge does exist. He is Yahweh, the God of heaven, the “Great I Am” (Exodus 3:14). In fact, Aristotle correctly identified that our existence is tied to an “Unmoved Mover.” Indeed, this is what we find in Genesis chapter 1 and 2. A supreme power, infinite and outside our realm who is capable of creating something from nothing (something mankind has never been able to do or adequately explain how it happens). It is the Bible that gives us the answer to the origin of mankind. There is no other resource on earth that explains such foundational truths. While many cultures have many fascinating origin stories, none are as succinct, substantiated, and steadfast as the Bible.
Truth #3: We were created by God and for God.
Once we understand that mankind doesn’t have it within himself to answer his own existential questions (Jeremiah 10:23), and that the only place to find such answers is in the Bible (2 Peter 1:3), then we are ready to open its pages to receive the truth. The answer is found in several passages, but the two primary ones are:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 — “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
When the wisest, wealthiest, and most experienced man to have ever lived reflected back on all his life, he stated, “All is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). King Solomon came to the “conclusion” that the purpose of life — the answer to “Why am I here?” — is, we are here to love and serve God.
Revelation 4:11 confirms this truth, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power: For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
The context of this verse is from a scene in heaven where immortal souls are rendering worship to God. They are acknowledging why they are there, in His presence: because it is His will. Therefore, God created mankind because He wants us to love Him — through our own choice (cf. Joshua 24:15) — and to serve Him by obeying Him (1 Samuel 15:22). In return, He will reward those who obey Him with beautiful, eternal life with Him in heaven (John 3:16).
That is the simple, straightforward truth. The only problem that remains is that some are not willing to accept that simple truth. Jesus described that choice as the “wide and narrow gates” (Matthew 21:13-14).
-Troy Spradlin