“Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16 NLT).

LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWERED

Most philosophers would say that the most important question is an existential one: “What is the meaning of existence?” More specifically, “Who am I and what is my purpose?” Or as the French would say, what is the “raison d’être?” (“reason for being”).

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, this existential question is answered. Christ is both the agent of and reason for our existence. The Scripture says that all things were created by Him, through Him and for Him. It is this final aspect of Christ’s agency that offers us the most profound answer, namely, that we were made “for Him.” He made us for Himself.

Apart from Christ, life becomes meaningless. Apart from Christ, we are cast adrift on the sea of futility. We neither recognize our Creator, nor know our own identity. So we fill in the blanks with our own answers, but none of them suffice.

Yet in Christ, we find our purpose for being and our true identity. We were made for Him! And we are incomplete and rudderless without Him.

When my children were teenagers, before they would leave the house to go somewhere, I would always tell them, “Remember who you are and whose you are.” I wouldn’t let them leave until they responded with, “I’m a child of God who belongs to Jesus Christ.”

Do you know the answer to life’s most important question?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus! He is the answer to our questions of identity and purpose. He tells who we are and whose we are. For we were made by Him and for Him. Strengthen us to live today for the One who both made and redeemed us. In Jesus’ name, amen.