Question from a reader:
I am disabled and middle aged, and sometimes I wonder why God bothers to keep me here on Earth. Why did He decide to create me?
Answer from Doreen Button, EPM staff:
God “bothers” to keep you here because He created you for a purpose and He loves you. In Ephesians, Paul tells us “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (2:9-10, NLT). Sometimes it’s hard to imagine what that purpose and plan is because we aren’t all-seeing and all-knowing like God is. Our culture tells us that we have to constantly be doing, and the more people see us doing, the better. If we haven’t checked off dozens of to-do boxes each day, we’re not worthwhile.
God doesn’t see things that way. He looks at our hearts, not our hands, and certainly not our five- and ten-year goal spreadsheets. (What we do indicates what’s in our hearts, but God doesn’t need that indicator like humans do.) You may not be able to save the world, but you can be kind to those God puts in your life. You can share Jesus’ love with people who help care for you or who serve you at the grocery store or the doctor’s office. A smile even when you’re not feeling well might make someone’s day and you might not even realize it this side of the New Earth.
Randy once went through a checkout line and engaged with the cashier in a friendly way and gave her a booklet. She had planned to take her life when she got off her shift, but a simple interaction, which was just one of many in his day, changed her mind. She felt seen. He didn’t hear until much later how his actions affected her. There may be dozens of times you’ve done something for which you may never know the outcome, but God does! Because it’s part of His purpose for you. And what you do for Him glorifies Him.
I’d like to encourage you to memorize three very short verses and put them into practice. If you do, you may find that your life becomes richer and more meaningful in time:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells you His stated purpose for you.
Keep seeking Him above all!
