Why?

“I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do.” John 17:4

It will likely come as no surprise that when a survey in USA Today asked the question, “If you could ask one question of God and get a direct, clear answer, what would you ask Him?” The number one question, overwhelmingly, that people said they would ask is, “Why am I here on earth?” Someone once said, “There are two great moments in a person’s life. The first is when you were born and the second is when you discover why you were born.” It is an important question; and it is one that cannot be accurately answered apart from God.

If we are here by evolutionary chance, then answering this question of “Why?” is impossible. We could guess why we are here…or have an opinion as to why we are here…but without an omniscient Creator, we can never know why we are here. With an all-powerful Creator, however, there is divine purpose; and the Creator can tell us what that purpose is – and He has in His Word. Interestingly, the answer to that question is the same for all of us. Everyone who has ever been born, or will be born, has been created for one primary purpose: To glorify God.

Did you know that even Jesus came to earth for that purpose – to glorify His Father in heaven? In John 17:4, Jesus reveals that the primary purpose for all of the redemptive work He did on earth was to glorify His Father. Jesus didn’t come primarily for us; He came first for His Heavenly Father. He came to bring salvation to us, but why did He do that? Because ultimately, our salvation brings glory to God the Father.

The main reason God sent Jesus to earth is the same reason He put us on this earth – to bring glory to His Name. That is why the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” What an impact that statement should have on our lives! At the end of the day, nothing is about you. Nothing is about me. It is all about God. We exist for His glory; and that changes everything.

God, I know that the reason I exist is to glorify You. Thank You for using my life to show others Your goodness, faithfulness and grace. Please help me to live in a way that is worthy of the calling You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.