Why Are We Here?

About a month ago as I was walking from my car to church I met a neighbor who asked me this question, "Did you ever wonder why we are here and is there really a plan that God has for our lives?" To be honest our conversation didn't start out that way but in a short period of time it was asked. I told my neighbor that it took me some time to begin to understand the answer to his question. Until each of us understands, that the Creator chose us before we ever thought about Him, we will be wondering why we are here. My neighbor asked me, "Am I missing something? Is there more to life than what I have experienced so far?" Please read what was written in this devotional below.

[Today's daily devotional from www.365.org]

[The mystery of God's existence is deep, stretching from before the beginning to after the end. But our own existence makes us wonder as well. We ask, "Why are we here? What is the meaning of our being?"

Our lives find their deepest meaning when we are intimately connected to the One who made us and is making us still. Watch for God to be revealed to you, close to you, in your moments apart here today.

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Do you have a list of friends and loved ones for whom you pray? If you are like me, most of the people on your list are experiencing some difficulty in their lives. It is good for us to pray for folks during these times, but today’s scripture reminds us that we also need to pray for people to grow in their faith and actions. The writer prays that the Colossians will be filled with wisdom and understanding, so that they may know God’s will and live accordingly.

So how do we know what God wants us to do? I like how the prophet Micah put it, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?“ This will not be easy, so the author also prays that God will provide us with the strength and endurance we need to live this kind of life with joy. Take a moment and pray for that these things for everyone on your prayer list – and for yourself!

Tracy Hartman]

This next paragraph is titled "A Conversation With God". I love how the author wonderfully states that we should ask God to fill us with wisdom, understanding, to love kindness and most important be humble with our Christian walk with Jesus. He chose us first, then waited for us to make the choice to love Him! As the title of the Christian song states, "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind!" The "I" is you and me. Note that the author left a place for us to put the names of those we want to pray for in this conversation with the Father.

[God, today you remind me that when I welcome Christ into my life, it should make a difference in how I live. I ask that you would fill me with wisdom and understanding so that I might do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Please strengthen me with your power so that I will have the patience and endurance to remain both joyful and faithful. I pray for these same qualities for (insert your own names here). Thank you for calling all of us and then equipping us to be your people in the world! Amen.]

Sometimes in the world today patience and endurance is in such short supply. I think that is why this devotional states it should be part of our conversation with God to ask for this. My friends I have found that the closer I am walking with Him, each day, I have this purpose to be happy and want to stay faithful to Him and also for everyone that is part of my life now and for those that the Lord will be bringing into my life. I pray that as you read the above prayer you will joyfully be inserting my name as part of your list, for you are all definitely on my list.

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott