150. Q. Why did God make you? [6]

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I here?” or “What is the purpose of my life?” These are big questions that people of all ages and backgrounds ask themselves. We all want to know why we were created and what we are supposed to do with our lives. Thankfully, the answer to this question is beautifully simple and powerful. According to the Baltimore Catechism, the answer is:

150. Q. Why did God make you?
A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.

Let’s break this down to understand what it really means and how it can bring joy and meaning to our lives.

The Meaning of Life: To Know God

The first part of the answer tells us that God made us to know Him. But what does it mean to know God? It’s not just about knowing facts or information about Him. It means building a relationship with Him, just like you would with a friend or family member.

Knowing God means:

  1. Learning About Him: We can learn about God by reading the Bible, attending church, and studying the teachings of the Church. Just like we get to know a person by listening to their stories and understanding their character, we get to know God by learning about His works and His love for us.

  2. Talking to Him: We talk to God through prayer. Just like we talk to a friend when we are happy, sad, or need advice, we can talk to God about everything in our lives. Prayer helps us to know God more deeply and to feel His presence in our lives.

  3. Listening to Him: God speaks to us in many ways—through the Bible, through our conscience, and even through the people around us. When we take time to listen, we begin to recognize His voice and understand His will for us.

To Love God: Our Greatest Calling

The second part of the answer tells us that we are made to love God. But how do we love someone we cannot see? Loving God means putting Him first in our hearts and lives. It means:

  1. Trusting Him: Just as a child trusts their parents, we are called to trust God in every situation. Even when things don’t go as planned, we trust that God has a good plan for us and that He is always with us.

  2. Obeying Him: When we love someone, we want to make them happy. We show our love for God by following His commandments and teachings, living our lives in a way that pleases Him.

  3. Loving Others: One of the best ways to show our love for God is by loving the people around us. Jesus teaches us that when we love and serve others, we are loving and serving Him.

To Serve God: Our Daily Mission

The third part of the answer tells us that we are made to serve God. Serving God doesn’t mean we have to do extraordinary things. It means doing ordinary things with great love. We can serve God in many ways, such as:

  1. Helping Others: We serve God by helping those in need, whether it’s through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply being there for someone who is going through a difficult time.

  2. Doing Our Best: Whatever we do, whether it’s our work, studies, or taking care of our families, we can offer it to God by doing it with love and dedication.

  3. Living Virtuously: We serve God by living a life of honesty, kindness, patience, and generosity. When we strive to be good and do good, we are serving God in our everyday actions.

To Be Happy with God Forever: Our Eternal Reward

The final part of the answer is truly beautiful: “to be happy with Him forever in the next.” God created us not just for this world but for eternity. He wants us to be happy with Him forever in Heaven. This is the ultimate goal of our lives—the fulfillment of everything we long for.

  1. Eternal Happiness: The happiness we experience in this life is only a glimpse of the joy we will experience in Heaven. In Heaven, there will be no more suffering, no more pain, and no more sadness. We will be in perfect peace and joy with God forever.

  2. Living for Heaven: Remembering that our true home is in Heaven helps us to live each day with hope and purpose. It encourages us to make choices that lead us closer to God and to avoid things that separate us from Him.

Bringing It All Together: Living with Purpose

So, why did God make us? He made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life so that we can be happy with Him forever in Heaven. This is our purpose, our calling, and our greatest joy. It means that every moment of our lives has meaning. Every act of kindness, every prayer, every time we choose to do good, we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.

Making It Personal: How Can You Live This Purpose Today?

You might be wondering, “How can I start living this purpose in my own life?” Here are some simple steps you can take:

  1. Spend Time with God Every Day: Start your day with a short prayer, thanking God for the gift of a new day and asking for His guidance. Read a verse from the Bible and reflect on what it means for your life.

  2. Love the People Around You: Look for opportunities to show kindness and love to the people around you—family, friends, and even strangers. A smile, a kind word, or a small act of service can make a big difference.

  3. Do Your Best in Everything: Whether you are working, studying, or taking care of your family, do your best and offer your efforts to God. Even the simplest tasks can become acts of love when done with a joyful heart.

  4. Keep Your Eyes on Heaven: Remember that this life is just the beginning. We are on a journey to our true home in Heaven. When things get tough, hold on to the hope that God has a wonderful plan for you, both in this life and in the next.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Purpose with Joy

Knowing why God made us gives our lives incredible meaning and direction. It reminds us that we are not here by accident, but because God loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives. We are called to know Him, love Him, and serve Him, and through this, we will find true happiness both now and forever.

Let’s embrace this purpose with joy and gratitude, trusting that God is with us every step of the way. No matter what challenges we face, we can be confident that our lives have meaning and that we are loved by a God who created us for a beautiful and eternal purpose.

So, let’s go forward, knowing God, loving God, and serving God, and looking forward to the day when we will be happy with Him forever in Heaven. This is why God made us, and this is the greatest adventure of our lives.

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