Life is full of the question, “Why?” If you have children you know a thing or two about this.

–       “Why is the sky blue?”

–       “Why can’t I pick my nose?”

–       “Why do I have to invite that girl to my party?”

–       “Why is my curfew earlier than all my friends?”

As a pastor, I get asked lots of “why” questions. The most legendary is, “Why am I here?” The search for the purpose of life has baffled people for generations. That’s because we typically begin with the wrong questions: “What are my goals? What dreams do I have for my future? Where do I want my life to go? Where do I see myself in 5 years?” While these are all good questions and there is certainly nothing wrong with dreams and goals, “what” and “where” is the wrong questions to start with. The initial question is “why.” The Bible says:

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.     Colossians 1:16

Consider this:

YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT

Your birth was no mistake, mishap or fluke of nature. You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Your parents may have been surprised, but God wasn’t (Acts 15:18). You may have been told you were an accident, but God says you are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). The circumstances surrounding your arrival on this planet might not have been what you desire. Jesus knows a thing or two about that. Even before you took your first breath, God knew about every one of your days and that’s no accident.

YOU WERE CREATED YOU-NIQUE

Just look around. There’s no one else that looks exactly like you. No one else has your exact personality with all its peculiarities and nuances. You are the only one with your distinct strengths, talents and gifts. There is not another story out there that matches yours. You have a heart for things that no one else understands. There never has been and there never will be anyone else like you. But that’s not a tribute to you. That’s a testament to the God who created you so you-nique!

YOU WERE CREATED ON PURPOSE FOR A PURPOSE

Everything on this earth was created “through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). You were created on purpose for a purpose – to bring glory to God. God created you just as you are. You are not a mistake. He crafted you with your one-of-a-kind personality, extraordinary gifts, exclusive story and unique passions so that you could make a big deal out of Him every day of your life.

 

Are you using your one-of-a-kind personality, extraordinary gifts, exclusive story and unique passions to make a big deal out of God? Start there – with the “why.” The “what” and the “where” are not the most important pieces to the puzzle. In the next few weeks we will answer the “what” and the “where” but it begins with asking “why”.