What are we doing here?

What are we doing here? Now there is a question you’ve definitely heard before, especially if you have young children. If we’re honest it’s probably a question you’ve asked yourself before. More than likely it came in a moment of exasperation when even your best laid plans came apart at the seams. Sadly, it is also a question we as believers have asked ourselves during a difficult time in life when it seemed like God was a million miles away.

Purpose is one of the key attributes we’ve been able to share in some of our speaking opportunities. Every person who has ever lived has struggled with finding and fulfilling their purpose at some point. The world will tell us that our purpose is tied to our career, hobbies, ambitions, successes, and the list goes on. While these are certainly “parts” of our purpose (Remember- The gifts and abilities that allow you to do all these things are from God AND you are not in these places by accident) they are most assuredly not our primary purpose.

As believers the key to finding our purpose and ultimately answering the question “What are we doing here” is to understand our primary purpose. Scripture constantly reminds us that we are created in God’s image and are to bring glory and honor to Him. How do we do this? It starts by understanding and constantly reminding ourselves of this simple yet foundational truth. In doing so we not only place our focus on glorifying God, we also remove a tremendous amount of self-inflicted pressure on ourselves. How different is your mindset if you approach each of life’s challenges and opportunities with the goal that, regardless of the outcome, you will seek to bring glory and honor to God.

If I attempt to tackle hard things on my own and succeed, then how long will this “success” last? We have countless examples of people who have achieved unimaginable worldly success but appear summarily unfulfilled. If I tackle those same hard things and fail, how difficult will that setback be to overcome? Again, we sadly have numerous examples of wonderful people who’ve become crippled by the failures of this life. Now imagine those same circumstances with the perspective of bringing glory and honor to God. If God is honored and glorified in my successes, these can transition from very temporal to eternal. If God is honored and glorified in my failures, I have an incredible amount of freedom to tackle the next challenge without the bitterness of failure creeping in.

James 3:13-14 puts it this way, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth” (NIV). My challenge to you is this. Next time you succeed big, remember who gave you the ability and opportunity to do so, and be humble enough to give credit where credit is due. Next time you fall flat, don’t lay there and ask “What am I doing here?” Allow God to pick you up and allow those around you to see that even in that trial God is still right there with you and still able to work in and through you.

What are we doing here? We’re here because God created us. He chose the where and when. He placed us so that He can live in and through us thereby giving us the opportunity to reflect his love to those around us. That’s our purpose. That’s what we’re doing here.

God Bless,

Phil Johnson

Founder J23 Ministries