Why Are You Here? God's Purpose for Humanity

[Ben Light] You are one in 8 something billion standing on a planet that is hurtling through space at 67,000 mph. Our planet Earth is just one part of one solar system of what has been estimated to be between 100 and 400 billion solar systems in just our galaxy, the Milky Way, which is one of approximately two trillion galaxies in the known universe. You and I are very small and seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of the cosmos. Yet life exists here on this small rock. And despite the best efforts of science, no life has been discovered anywhere else in the universe to date.

Why here? Why you?

King David pondered these same questions as he looked up and he considered the night sky. Psalm 8 records his thoughts. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him?...and the son of man that you visit him, For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of your hands.

When we look up at the vast expanse of the night sky, all of those billions of stars and planets and galaxies. What is man? Are we the result of some grand cosmic accident? Or is there intention built into our existence? Why are you here?

Today, much of the world is experiencing what's become known as a purpose gap. gaps been defined as the gulf between humanity's desire for mission, for true meaning and purpose, and the reality that they're experiencing in their lives. Research has shown that seven out of 10 Americans have defined their purpose based on their career, while less than two out of 10 actually feel as though they receive true fulfillment as a result of that vocation.

Is that all we are? Is your worth and reason for being wrapped up in your vocation or are you more than your job title?

This purpose gap has reached such a point of crisis that over the last few years volumes and volumes of books have been written. Numerous TED talks and workshops have been conducted all with the goal of helping people find their purpose. Finding what gives their life meaning, what helps them get out of bed in the morning.

On the island of Okinawa, Japan, this concept is known as "Ikigai". The word translates in Japanese to a reason for being. And because it's so ingrained in the culture of the islands, the vast majority of residents of Okinawa can articulate that reason for being when they're asked. For some, it's their grandchildren, their friends, hobbies, and pursuits. But for others, their reason for being is much deeper and much more existential.

Some have advocated that your purpose sits at the intersection of what you're good at, what you love, and what the world needs. That if you can find something that the world needs that you're talented at and that you love that you will have achieved Ikigai. You will have found your purpose.

What if instead of working from the outside in trying to determine that purpose based on our skill set or our passions and our perception of what the world needs, what if our true purpose has been right in front of us the entire time, right in the pages of your Bible? Would that purpose inform everything else?

The pages of your Bible reveal a powerful truth. God is building a family. Humanity, as David observed, was made lower than the angels for a time. But as the book of Hebrews describes, with the full intention of God to bring them into His family through the redemption made possible by His Son Jesus Christ and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans describes this relationship. "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Aba, Father." The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joints with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:12-17).

God has created man to become a part of His family, His very own children. And this is not a destiny that's been offered to the angels, but has been offered to mankind. As a result, what does this mean for us?

I've been blessed to have three wonderful children. As they've grown up, they are an incredible mix of my characteristics and the characteristics of my wife. They have some of the same mannerisms as us. And because they've been raised in our home, reflect the culture and the character of our family. That's God's intention for us as well. That we would grow to become more like our Father. That we would express His characteristics, to learn and grow in His way, and to be examples of His way of life.

It's not a coincidence that Earth is the only place in our universe where life has been discovered. It's because human life on this planet was created here by God. You are not a cosmic accident. You're here for a reason. Purpose-built, an integral part of what God is doing here on this planet.

How does that change how you look at your purpose, the reason for your existence? How does it inform your actions? What if you're here to shine the light of God to a world that needs it? To share comfort in moments of difficulty or to provide encouragement when it's needed most.

If you're interested in learning more about the family of God and what it means for you, check out our Beyond Today video, Why Were You Born? And be sure to follow and subscribe to Beyond Today for more truth from the Bible.