The Three Reasons

It's the question everyone wants answered.

'Why are we here on earth? What's the purpose of life?'

To claim to know the answer, from God's perspective, would be me subscribing to a level of arrogance I simply refuse to do, but I'll tell you the three reasons I believe we live.

God wanted fellowship. Sure God has angels, of many ranks, to fellowship with, and we know angels have free will (see Lucifer), but for a reason we'll never know this side of Heaven, He wanted something more. He wanted a creation, made in His image, who would begin with a clean slate. What greater love is there than one that is CHOSEN? You see none of us 'have' to love God and Jesus . . . we all have the choice of whether to or not.

Before Adam fell prey to the serpent in the garden of Eden, God walked with Adam and Eve, He talked with them, he taught them, he loved them. Can you imagine what that must've been like?! The Creator of the Universe physically walking beside you and talking with you and although that was enough for them, the serpent was crafty and for one split second they let their guard down, entertained the temptation of the Tree of Knowledge and fell into disobedience.

Their choice changed things. God no longer physically walks with us, at least not where we can see Him, but His craving to fellowship and know us has not changed one iota! Jesus dying on the cross was the Great Reconciliation of us back to the Father . . . it was the ultimate in a long history of 'making up.'

Just like He wanted to spend time with Adam and Eve, and have them know Him, He wants to know us and have us know Him!

I've heard it said life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. I believe the moments we feel most alive are simply gifts from God. Moments so exhilirating we can't put them into words-- the times we laugh so much our stomachs hurt, or smile so big our cheeks feel stuck, our moments of achievement, our moments of education, our moments of sadness, our moments of failure, I believe are all presents. Without the bitter taste of defeat, would we fully appreciate the sweet taste of victory? Without the moments of pain, would we depend on God? Without doubt, would we turn to faith?

He loves us so much-- He allows us to have these special moments . . . warm embraces from the Father Himself. To see a beautiful sunset, feel the sun on our skin, see the radiant white snowflakes fall from the sky, to look into your child's eyes for the first time, to feel grains of sand between your feet, to be on the receiving end of that warm smile, soft touch, or kind word is to experience His love! To see your kid score a touchdown, win the race, make the game-winning shot or watch him hit a home run are all great, but the gift is not found in their performance, but in the simple fact you are sharing in that moment with them by watching them play!

Nature was created by God not just so the animals could have habitats, but as one of the most beautiful gifts this life can afford. The breaking waves reflect God's power and yet the ocean, when it's calm, also reflects His gentleness and peace. Trees bow down to their Creator when the wind blows. The wind itself blows throughout the earth, serving as a constant reminder He is with us. Rain falls, so while we may not be able to see Him, we can feel Him. The leaves change colors to serve as an example of how we should live-- though different in colors we are nonetheless beautiful and can co-exist with the same harmony of the trees.

ALL FOR HIS UNSURPASSABLE GLORY

I believe we are put here on earth to do one thing-- REFLECT God's glory. Each one of us are given gifts and talents. . . not just SOME of us. ALL OF US! And while the gifts and talents may be as different as the ones who possess them, the reason why they were given to us was for the same reason-- to give God glory!

One of my favorite scriptures is 2nd Cor. 4:7
'We have been made jars of clay, so everyone will see the unsurpassable power and glory belongs to God . . . not us!'

In my opinion, one of the most despicable things we can do is to use these gifts and talents for our OWN gain. To do so is idolatry. You can quote all the Scripture you want, and talk to the Lord without ceasing, but if you make your gifts, talents and life about YOU and not about the Father-- you need to check your heart!

That's not me saying that-- look what He says!

'I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.' Isaiah 42:8.

They are meant to further the Kingdom . . . for everyone who sees them in action to say, 'Isn't the Lord great!?' Not so they can say, 'Isn't he or she great!?'

I know He could've chosen anyone to give the talents and gifts He has given me, so I'm learning how to show Him I am grateful for Him choosing me! I am trying to multiply them ALL for His glory! The pursuit of Him and to reflect His glory are the only things that matter. He, and His Kingdom, is the only thing that's real! Everything else is counterfeit.

I am not humble only because I know it's the right thing to do in God's eyes (Proverbs 25:6 and James 4:6), but rather because I know where my gifts, talents and very life come from . . . from above, 'Every good and perfect gifts comes from above.' James 1:17.

I strive to walk in humility and in gratitude because of that with the knowledge just as quickly as He has so freely given me these things, He can allow them to be taken.

Where's the Love?

The final reason we're here on earth is through Love (Jesus) pointing others to our Love!

I can't imagine how the Lord God Almighty must feel to see beautiful gifts and talents being used as idols . . . and as tools of destruction. . . to see gifts meant to reflect His glory and bring the beholder closer to Him being used as reasons to treat others like they're not even worthy of their time much less of their kindness. We all have issues with sin, but the way we treat others is the most elementary one to correct and it comes down to four letters-- LOVE!

The Bible clearly states this in many places, including the Matthew 7:12, which is known as the Golden Rule.
'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

'You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders, and all of you clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.'
(1st Peter 5:5-6)

'And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humily, gentleness and patience.' (Colossians 3:12)

Being famous, having tons of money or big-time status does not mean you are better than anyone; it just means God has given you more so that you can can do more for the Kingdom with it! Take a look at Luke 12:48, 'To whom much is given, much is required.'

Agape love, the way we are called to love our fellow man, is a love without expectation. It's loving because He first loved us . . . truly altruisticly! When you put another's needs and wants in front of your own, embracing being a servant, that's when you have loved as God wants us to love. When you give, not out of an overflow of what you have, but out of faith that God (Jehovah Jireh) will make provision for you, so although you don't have 'it' to give now you give anyway; that's when you are being the arms and feet of Christ.

Does the way you love bring people closer to the Lord and does the love and joy you share cause unbelievers to want to experience that same type of joy and love through accepting Jesus as their Savior because they want it too?

We all have one life, and three reasons for that life, how will you live yours today?