Have you ever paused to ask, “Why did God create me?” It’s one of the most personal and profound questions we can explore as Christians. In a world full of noise, expectations, and uncertainty, understanding your purpose through God’s eyes brings clarity and hope. The Bible offers rich insight into why you were created—and it starts with God’s love, His glory, and His desire for a relationship with you.
Have You Ever Wondered Why You Exist?
I think every person gets to a point in life when they question why they were born. For believers in Jesus Christ, we may wonder why God created us to be alive in this generation, and why He chose our family and location. What is the meaning of it all? For what purpose did He create me, and am I living out that purpose?
For non-believers, this becomes an existential dilemma because they have no faith in God as their Creator. How can they know anything about why they are here? These people may look to other religions, their own brand of “spirituality,” philosophy, or science to find answers that can only be provided by the Creator of the world, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s no wonder that The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Pastor Rick Warren has sold 50 million copies and has been translated into 137 different languages since it was written over 20 years ago. In this “meaning of life” book, Warren opens its first chapter with, “It’s not about you…If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”
Thankfully, we can do what Warren did and find the answers to all of our questions about why God created us in the Bible. It tells us not only about the creation of the world but also speaks of God’s will for all of history, including His creation of humans, and the way He chose to lavish His love on those who believe in His Son Jesus. It is in relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that we find our purpose.
What Does Scripture Reveal about God’s Purpose for You?
Too often we think our purpose, or our reason for existence, is the job we have, the spouse we marry, or the children we bring into the world, etc. While your purpose may include these things, they are not the foundation of your existence. That foundation has everything to do with knowing and living in relationship with the One and Only Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And that’s a love-gift from God, not something that you have to strive after.
The Bible celebrates the creation of humans in the Book of Genesis. “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us….So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:26-28). In the article “Why Did God Create Us," Hope Bolinger writes, “God places a piece of himself into our creation. He shows us our value by making us in his image and calling us to something far greater than ourselves—to be more like him.” That is one reason that God created us, to be his image-bearers. That doesn’t mean that we look like God physically; it means that, unlike other created beings, we are to reflect God’s nature and character in the world around us.
Another glance at Warren’s book tells us that there are other reasons why God created us:
You were planned for God’s pleasure: “You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
You were formed for God’s family: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household (Ephesians 2:19).
You were created to become more like Christ: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).
I would add that the following Scriptures speak to God’s objectives in creating you to bring Him glory:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory;I have formed him, yes, I have made him (Isaiah 43:7)
And most of all, you are created by God because you are an overflow of His love. That is why He sent His son to die for your sins; He didn’t want to be separated from you.
How God’s Deep Love Gives Your Life Meaning
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). It is this incredible love for you that makes life worth living and gives you meaning. God’s love is all the more amazing when you understand what He does for you each day, and what He plans to do for you for eternity.
Because of His great love, all of the promises of God are yours for the taking if you have faith in the Father, Son and, Holy Spirit. He says He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5), He will be your shepherd and help you in troubles (Psalm 23), He will forgive your sins (1 John 1:9), He will provide for your needs (Philippians 4:19), and He is preparing a place for you in eternity (John 14:1-3). The depth of His love for you gives you identity and meaning that is forfeit without faith. People who reject God miss out on all that His love can provide and wander through their lives wondering what their purpose is (or they don’t care and just live a “carpe diem”/aimless life.)
What Unique Role Has God Designed You to Fulfill?
Considering all of the above, is there a more specific purpose for you individually in all of that? When we know that God created us to be with us, love us, reflect Him, please Him, and bring glory to Himself through our faith and good works, we should more easily find what God wants us to do with our time, talents, resources, and passions.
If you are a child of God through faith, He has a unique way for you to bring attention and glory to Him so that others may know Him as well. Perhaps you are a stay-at-home mom and your purpose is to raise children who learn more about God every day. Maybe you work in an office and your role is to behave in a way that people see Jesus in you and want to know Him as well. Or maybe you have the opportunity to serve others and do it in Jesus’ name, giving Him the credit when people show you gratitude.
Your unique role is based on what you do with what God has given you. That’s everything from your talents and passions to your experiences and struggles. All combine to create a unique you that the Holy Spirit can guide on a path that will be for your ultimate good and God’s ultimate glory.
How Can You Step into God’s Purpose Every Day?
Since God’s purpose is that you would know Him, glorify Him, obey Him and love Him, you benefit from spending time getting to know Him more. That includes Bible study, prayer, going to a gospel-teaching church, and worship. Every day, you have the opportunity to represent your heavenly Father in your interactions with other people, further stepping into your role as a child of God.
Prayer for Stepping Into God’s Purpose Every Day:
Most merciful heavenly Father,
You know exactly why you created me and what every moment of my life would be like. The Bible says that You “knit me together in my mother’s womb” and You know the number of hairs on my head. You know my thoughts and feelings and are always with me. I thank you for giving me life, and for the gifts that you have given me (even when they don’t feel like gifts). I love You and ask that You show me today how I can fulfill Your purpose in the way You’ve ordained for me to do so. My heart is yours, my hands are yours, my mind is yours. May I please you in how I use them to be involved in your purpose for me. Amen,
Photo credit: Unsplash/Pablo Heimplatz
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
