Greetings,
It’s good for us to remind ourselves every day about why we are here. Mr. Herbert Armstrong began many of his messages with that very question, “Why are we here?” It’s an extremely important question because it’s answer is so calming and uplifting in a world that is growing more stressful and dangerous daily.
Stephen Hawking, in his book, A Brief History of Time, asked the question, “Why does the universe go to all the bother of existing?” His question, though it might reflect the mood of many, also reflects the dark uncertainty that comes with not knowing why we exist. But we are blessed to have the spiritual connection that can give us clarity in these matters. The Apostle Paul speaks of our destiny, “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:16–17) This is why we are here. It is through God’s spirit working with our own human spirit that we are able to grasp His plan and be reassured of becoming a spirit born member of God’s family.
God, who is the maker of all that is in the universe that Stephen Hawking spoke of, has his focus on this earth. In Genesis 1:26, He said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” How encouraging is it to realize that of all God’s creatures on earth, we alone were made to look like Him? We alone, of all His creatures, were given dominion over the others. Only we, of those creatures, have the spirit that God put in man, which gives man such intellect. And out of all of mankind’s billions, only a comparative tiny fraction have been personally called by our Father, have believed, have been baptized and have received the Holy Spirit which makes us begotten sons. Then, speaking of God’s holy angels, Paul writes, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrew 1:14) God watches over His begotten ones — though He cares for all people and will offer salvation to each and every one at a time of His choosing.
But for those of us presently under judgment (1 Peter 4:17), our circumstance is just the same as that of King David who had been begotten of God as a young adult. “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:1-7) No human being is insignificant in God’s eyes. And those who are begotten of Him in this present age are very much on His mind. We couldn’t go unnoticed and unvalued even, if in weakness, we wanted to. Out of all the vastness of the universe, His family is here on this earth. And He is in the process of molding and shaping each one of us into His own incorruptible spiritual image that is summed up in the word love. That is why we are here. We should take great solace in this reality every day of our lives.
Warm regards,
Marshall Stiver
