“Why am I here?” “What is the meaning of life?” “What were we created for?” These questions that have plagued humanity since existence, that renowned philosophers have debated over, and that every person has asked at some point in his or her life all have one theme in common: they all question our purpose.
Purpose requires action, motivation and intention. Purpose drives us to be better, molds our character and defines who we are. Luckily, for those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus, our purpose could not be more clear. The purpose of a believer’s life is spread all over Scripture.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
— Ephesians 2:10
So what are these “good works” that Paul is talking about in this passage? I think that we can find the answer to that question by studying the life of Jesus. After all, we are called to imitate him:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
— Ephesians 5:1–2
In fact, if you keep reading all of Ephesians 5, or even Proverbs, purpose is practically spelled out for us. How great is it that we have a God who is not mysterious, but desires to be known by his children? I, for one, am so thankful that I don’t have to wonder what my purpose in life is.