The Most Important Question To Answer Correctly
No matter your belief system, the most important question you can answer is not about your life’s purpose.
A greater question that has an existential answer gives direction to why you’re here. Christian or not stay with me for at least this initial article and then decide whether you’ll be back or not.
Ok. I’ll get to the point, or rather the question.
Jesus asked thee question of his disciples in Mark chapter 8, verses 27-29. And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Emphasis added)
Who we believe Jesus the Christ to be is the most important question in life. That answer determines the purpose of our lives for eternity. No other question you will ever answer has the impact of this question.
Jesus never asks us to pursue him to find the answer to what our purpose is. He tells us what our purpose is, and I’ll get to that shortly.
My Story and My Answer
I was around the age of 12 when I stumbled upon a pornographic magazine in our home. That moment changed the course of my life forever. In a moment how I viewed life, women, self, life and others began a slow dangerous and twisted path that nearly lead to me taking my own life at age 42.
Pornography became my drug and medication of choice for physical and primarily emotional pain. I experienced bullying in various forms as a child and adult from various sources. Many without intention, but certainly some quite willingly inflicted emotional and physical wounds.
I married the most grace filled woman at age 24. Nearly 34 years later I’m married to the same stunning woman. We are parents to 3 adult daughters that we don’t deserve, but thank God for daily!
But there was a time I feared I was going to loose them all. That began when Julie discovered a nearly two yearlong online relationship with another woman.
That was in late 2003 and it was during this time period thoughts of ending my life became an entertained possible way out.
But God
I’d realized I needed help when my depression was so severe I literally could not make myself eat. I was losing weight at frightening speed.
In March of 2004 I was part of a stage crew at a Christian event in our small town. I met new friends and began making changes I knew I needed to.
The path was being paved for me to confront my belief about the person of Jesus.
Following the Christian event, a concert, I knew something was different within me. I could not readily identify it until the next morning. As I sat on the couch listening over and over to two particular songs from the concert the night before, my heart broke. Snapped like a twig.
I did not fully understand then who I believed this Jesus, I grew up hearing about really was and is. That morning the answer became clearer than even before. Jesus was and is my Savior! I didn’t simply invite Jesus into my heart and life, I quite literally begged him to come in and take over. He did and continues to do the good work he began in me.
You can hear more of my story by watching the videos here.
The Purpose, My purpose of Life Revealed
It’s actually clearly and simply revealed what God’s intended purpose for our lives is. Jesus himself spoke it in Matthew 28:18-20. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Emphasis added)
Life’s purpose revealed and a promise given; Go make disciples and the promise from Jesus to always be with me on this mission and given purpose. The purpose of life for all of us is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. For those who are followers of Jesus we know this and believe it to be truth.
If you don’t believe in or follow Jesus, I can’t give you another answer to your life’s meaning or purpose. I can’t answer that question for you apart from a saving faith relationship with Jesus. I don’t believe you can find the answer anywhere else.
I’ve found meaning, purpose and my how to live out that purpose in relationship with Jesus. So can you.
God will not force himself on us. It’s by grace through faith we find salvation in Jesus the Christ. It cannot be earned. None of us is good enough to do that. It’s why Jesus went to the cross. To pay a price you and I cannot. A price we are incapable of paying.
A Good Work Prepared
Ephesians 2:10 10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Before our birth, God ordained and created for each of us good works to do. As we pursue our relationship with Jesus, God will reveal those works to us. It takes intentional effort and persistence to discover and clarify that purpose, that good work.
And right now I invite you into the journey.
This is the good work God has called me to. It’s an honor to serve Him, by serving you.
I’d love to hear from you. If you have a suggestion for a topic or have questions…please let me know. I’m still a student of this journey myself.
Moving courageously forward,
Dan