Why was I born? Why were you born? Why were any of us born? 

Are we here in this world by chance? Or is there a greater purpose to our lives?

I once read about a philosophy professor who wrote to 250 people whom he felt were the great thinkers of his day. He asked about life’s purpose. Unfortunately, he didn’t find any of their responses satisfying. One even asked the professor if he would share what he learned from the others because he himself wanted to know!

Jesus Christ has a lot to say about who we are and why we’re here. 

One of the insights he shares is in Mark 4:20. After describing three groups of people who are not receptive to God’s word over the long haul, he describes a fourth and final group who are “good soil.” This means that they “hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

The phrase “produce a crop” can also be translated as “bear fruit.” It means showing evidence of your faith. It means loving and serving others.

This is central to our purpose. We were born to bless!

Each of us is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). As his image-bearers, we carry forward the goodness of God to a world that is hurting. This will take shape in various ways, and will depend on your situation, your spiritual gifts, your strengths, your personality, and even where you live. But take shape it will.

Brothers and sisters, you were born to bless.

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Notes and extra content:

–“Why was I born?” Sermon. October 20, 2024. Click here.

–Coming soon: “How spiritual disciplines help you love others—a talk with Jeff Loach.” Look for it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan.’

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.