Why Am I Here?
This title reflects a common thought with a lot of people. So many are depressed even to the point of suicide. The suicide rate in the US has risen steadily over the past 18 years reaching its highest point since 1941. The rate of suicide per 100,000 people in 2022 was 14.3 and 2.6% higher than in 2021.
There are many reasons why people get to this point in life. Some people have mental difficulties that have contributed to their mental breaks. However, it seems to me that the vast majority of people who are depressed in life don’t understand the purpose of the life that they should be living.
The question, “Why am I here?”, reveals this confusion. It is true that we did not have a choice whether to be here or not. Our parents made that choice for us. But, now that we are here, we must understand the purpose for our being here. Without purpose, people have no motivation.
I don’t want to take up a lot of extra space in this article to address one of the dangers of Darwinian evolution. However, this failure to find purpose and meaning in life is a direct result of the continual teaching that there is no purpose to all of life. We are here only by accident not intention. How does such teaching inspire motivation and drive? We are reaping the consequences of this anti-God teaching!
There were people in Bible times who were, at least, candidates to ask this question. Peter wrote to Christian people whom he called “the pilgrims of the dispersion…” (I Peter 1:1). These were Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. He encouraged them, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:12). Maybe he saw that they were being tempted to ask why all of this was happening.
He had answered that question just a few verses earlier. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, who having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” (I Peter 1:6-9).
Our time in this world is merely the proving for our eternity in heaven. The answer to the question is that we are here to get there—heaven. We are not here to be successful business people, sports stars, ladder climbers, movers and shakers. We are here to be successful people of faith. That faith is tested constantly preparing us to be in eternity with God.
Paul clearly stated the difficulties of this life trying to be the Christian that God expects of us. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12). He may not be saying that we can all expect to suffer the persecution such as occurred in Bible times, but he is saying that we will all go through periods of suffering as we try to live the Christian life. Be not dismayed! We are living in God’s proving ground for His children! We are here to get there!
— Mike Johnson
