Why did God create me?

Why did God create me?

That’s a question my son asked recently. For many people, it may have been answered a long time ago. Those who don’t believe in God may never have considered it. But it’s a question that others, including me, re-evaluate every once in a while as life changes.

To know the purpose of a thing, look at its function and design. When you inspect the designs of a teacup and a spoon, you can work out what each of these items may be used for. So here are three aspects to consider when pondering my son’s question, “Why did God create me?”

1.    Evaluate the function and design.

The first thing you need to do is take an inventory of yourself. Look at your design, i.e., the gifts and natural abilities that make you different from others. What are you good at, and what can you do with ease? On your journey to discover the purpose of your life, you need to prepare an inventory of your gifts. Nothing complicated. Start with some obvious strengths that everyone would agree you have, like “good at math,” “works well with computers,” “can learn many languages,” “has a natural love and deep concern for others.” Write a list of your natural traits, things you are good at, and skills that you excel at.

2.   Identify opportunities to use your strengths and gifts.

Self-discovery often leads to self-fulfillment. Once you have prepared your inventory of self, seek opportunities to use the strengths you have listed. Sometimes you find opportunities to do what you are good at by your own initiative; sometimes, other people will point out an opportunity you can pursue; sometimes, you’ll stumble across one by chance. However it happens, you need to make the most of these opportunities. If you genuinely care for others, you can use that strength to reach out to people who are hurting and just spend time listening to them. If you have a natural eye for beauty, you can paint a picture that leaps off the canvas.

This step is really important. You can’t just sit on your oars and hope. You need to actively pursue opportunities to use your gifts—in your community or church group or among families. And every time you do use your skills, you will improve them even more. There is always a need out there. Your job is to find the needs that you can naturally fulfill. And with the internet, you can scout the entire globe.

3.   Fellowship with God.

In addition to using your natural abilities for good in this world to fulfill your purpose, there is the ultimate purpose for which God created us: to be in fellowship with him. Our lives will continue to be empty and meaningless until they are filled with a love that can come only from having a personal relationship with God. Without this relationship, no matter how gifted an individual may be, he will always feel empty and hollow, will always be asking, “What else is there?” Our relationship with God is the only thing that can completely give our lives meaning and purpose. Otherwise, what would be the essence of life in this world but to eat, drink, make the best of things, and die? No, God desires that we have a rich and meaningful life through our faith and communion with him and that we have hope for a life after this one in his kingdom.

The answer to the question of why God created you and me lies in our very DNA. The answer is to use our natural abilities to make our world better in ways big and small while maintaining a relationship and constant fellowship with God.

Nothing else matters.