Hi I'm Annette

[AnnetteL]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Hello Annette,

Welcome to CF! I'm glad you made it to these forums, for however short or long that may be.

I see you've got questions, and from the looks of them, they're the same ones a lot of us here have. And that's ok. It just means that you might not get any solid answers, but at least you'll be in good company. (Inject a large dose of humor of some sort here ... )

"Why are we here?" Well, as a philosopher, I could bring up a lot of different answers, but I think that biblically speaking the only one worthwhile is that God loves us, and Jesus has been sent to redeem us and lead us, and God has intentions of residing in our beings, our hearts, minds, and souls. He'd like for us to do our best while we're here to make it a better place if possible and, at the least, have it as a practice ground for refining our faith and love before we stand before Him.

How's that for a quick-reference answer, Annette? So, what's really bugging you?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[AnnetteL]

Thanks for the reply - I like your answer but for me it's a bit too wishy-washy, I don't mean that it any derogative way. I guess I'm looking for an answer that resonates with me, I know when I hear it it will be like a light bulb moment: "of course that makes perfect sense!"

 

[Hidden In Him]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.

That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.

Welcome to CF, Annette! I hope you make some good friends here.

The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

The conclusion reached in Ecclesiastes immediately came to mind here (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The reasoning is this: By obeying God, we are furthering His kingdom in the earth, with the ultimate purpose being to reestablish Paradise when His kingdom is finally established.

 

[Halbhh]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Hello and welcome, sister.

When I was a teen, I thought the meaning of life was simply to live it. But that's only a young person's thought; just a beginning. The ultimate meaning of life must include love, we can feel (as I might word it that we care for, somehow do something good, even if only subtle, even if only regard/recognition even, for our fellow mortal beings here). This is one part, one way, sensing the reality of death in these bodies -- in this way we could begin sense the deep truth in Christ's words -- "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another", and how we should love others, to "love your neighbor as yourself".

As I think of it now, later in midlife, we are here in this temporary mortal life in order to learn to love others, even those who are truly different than ourselves.

This is our task.

In a way, we were born already able and already doing it....

Yet, we go astray. And we need our Teacher, Jesus, our Savior.

He came to suffer from all of our wrongs even when we were enemies, acting like enemies, to God, to love.

There is no other way. Only this way could He reconcile us to Love, to God, to the deep central essense we most want in our souls, to return to the One from Whom we come.

.
I remember how Christ told us "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." We can touch eternity even here and now, through His words. When we do the greatest commandment, we can be in touch with the eternal. He is.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Thanks for the reply - I like your answer but for me it's a bit too wishy-washy, I don't mean that it any derogative way. I guess I'm looking for an answer that resonates with me, I know when I hear it it will be like a light bulb moment: "of course that makes perfect sense!"

I understand. My answer was meant to be purposely introductory and brief. I know that you're wanting substance; and that takes a while and has to be developed through discussion, fellowship, and living life.

You might want to start out thinking about what it is in your life right now that is making you feel like you don't sense God's purpose. Do you feel you aren't living a purposeful, meaningful life at the moment?

 

[AnnetteL]

Welcome to CF, Annette! I hope you make some good friends here.

The conclusion reached in Ecclesiastes immediately came to mind here (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The reasoning is this: By obeying God, we are furthering His kingdom in the earth, with the ultimate purpose being to reestablish Paradise when His kingdom is finally established.

Welcome to CF, Annette! I hope you make some good friends here.

The conclusion reached in Ecclesiastes immediately came to mind here (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The reasoning is this: By obeying God, we are furthering His kingdom in the earth, with the ultimate purpose being to reestablish Paradise when His kingdom is finally established.

Thank you for that reply 'Hidden In Him". Interestingly I did a sequence of seminars on Ecclesiastes at Word Alive 2017. Perhaps I need to re-read it.

 

[AnnetteL]

I understand. My answer was meant to be purposely introductory and brief. I know that you're wanting substance; and that takes a while and has to be developed through discussion, fellowship, and living life.

You might want to start out thinking about what it is in your life right now that is making you feel like you don't sense God's purpose. Do you feel you aren't living a purposeful, meaningful life at the moment?

Thank you - that has certainly given me some more to think about. Sometimes I feel like I am the only person who ever thinks so much this and I know that's not true, which is why I am interested in hearing others ideas/thoughts, including those who are not Christians.

What gives others a purpose in life, what gets them out of bed in the morning.

 

[A_Thinker]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Hi Annette,

I think that we are in the world ... to bring LOVE and GOODNESS into the world.

For me, this is the only reason that is adequate ...

 

[Hidden In Him]

Thank you for that reply 'Hidden In Him". Interestingly I did a sequence of seminars on Ecclesiastes at Word Alive 2017. Perhaps I need to re-read it.

The wisdom books are wonderful. But the higher wisdom is contained in the gospels, since the OT saints were working towards an earthly inheritance, whereas as we are working towards an eternal one (first in Heaven, and afterwards in the new Earth). The trick is learning what part we individually have to play by seeking God diligently to find out what our calling is.

I would say that's the second key to finding out what your real purpose in life is.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Thank you - that has certainly given me some more to think about. Sometimes I feel like I am the only person who ever thinks so much this and I know that's not true, which is why I am interested in hearing others ideas/thoughts, including those who are not Christians.

Hearing what other have to say sounds like a healthy endeavor, Annette. I know it can feel like you're the only person with deep questions, and that may be the case in some instances.

What gives others a purpose in life, what gets them out of bed in the morning.

I often wonder the same things. On a lesser level, I guess that for myself it is the fact that I know I need to contribute to providing for my family that ... rolls me out of bed each morning. I wish I could just wake up each day, suddenly feel the Glory of God shining in its full brilliance in my mind and heart, and then just jump out of bed, ready to serve the world. But, if I were to say so, that wouldn't quite be the truth ...

 

[URA]

I know when I hear it it will be like a light bulb moment: "of course that makes perfect sense!"

Thousands of years of philosophers, intellectuals, and bored bystanders waiting for the bus have been working on this "Why are we here?" question, and you can see how far we've come. Perhaps you'll reach full self-actualization (psych term), where you'll find out your personal purpose in life, but as an overall answer, I like to refer to the late great Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.:
"We are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different!"

 

[URA]

The trick is learning what part we individually have to play by seeking God diligently to find out what our calling is.

This is key. It takes much prayer, discussion, and other fun things that this forum & many other places are designed for, and you may not find out for a very long time, or you may find out tomorrow, depending on God's schedule for revealing such things to you. Patience, prayer, and, uh, penicillin, or something like that.
For Lent this year, I'm spending 30 minutes a day in the Bible (which usually works out to 40 or 50), and I just finished the Gospel of Luke. Multiple times, Jesus says something, the Apostles don't understand it, but it's because the meaning is "hidden" from them. (I can't recall the exact verses now, so I guess you'll have to read the whole book to find out. HA!!! Now I'm making you read the Bible!) I think the same thing can happen with many things in our lives, including the great question of why we're here. (Curiously, it's not explained why these things were hidden from the Apostles; God's will is too big for us to always know, to say the least).
Lost my train of thought.
But overall, I'd just say to look around, try new things, go back to old things, see what really "fits" with you, that resonation you mentioned before. And don't worry about it too much; enjoy life, trust God, and let the answers come as they will.
And fart around.

 

[dreadnought]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Welcome to Christian Forums, Annette. Maybe the reason we are here is that the Lord likes company.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Lost my train of thought.

LoL.

But overall, I'd just say to look around, try new things, go back to old things, see what really "fits" with you, that resonation you mentioned before. And don't worry about it too much; enjoy life, trust God, and let the answers come as they will.

Great advice.

And fart around.

Might not be the best advice, especially if taken literally.

 

[Heart2Soul]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Hi, Annette! I asked that question many times myself when I was younger. One night I had a dream that when Satan was cast down from Heaven, along with 1/3 of the rebellion of angels, there was a stirring of those left there who were concerned and uncertain what their fate may be. (fear). God being a Sovereign and Just God, came up with a plan.....He created mankind out of the dust of the earth....put a soul (free will) in it and breathed the spirit of life into him. There was no memory of being with Him in heaven only His spirit to give us any kind of "knowing" Him. So every child of God has now been given a chance while here on earth to choose out of free will whether to serve Him or Satan, until He restores His Kingdom of Heaven.....(quite a dream huh?).

The Bible says He knew us before we were even yet conceived and predestined us to fulfill His purpose.

Here is a concept: JesusCreated.org
8. Before creation, God chose the saints for salvation.

Ephesians 1:4&5 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth”

2 Timothy 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”

9. Before creation, the saint’s names were written in the Book of Life (as apposed to those whose names were not, as shown in the following verses).

Revelation 17:8 “And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world,”

Revelation 13:8 “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

10. Before creation, God’s creative plan included the cross.

Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”

Acts 4:27&28 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.”

1 Peter 1:19&20 “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”

Revelation 13:8 “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Illustration: God is outside of time, space, & matter; the creation is His plan


The circle represents everything God created – time, space, matter, & light. God is not bound to time, space, or matter. He was before all we see or comprehend. God has and still is revealing His plan to us through His written Word and the events that are still to come.


Amazingly, God demonstrates He is an extreme God of love. God determined before He created that He would demonstrate His love to His creation through the sacrifice of the cross!


So the question is not why are "WE" here but why are "YOU" here....many of us have already discovered our purpose here I pray you do as well.

GOD BLESS and WELCOME!

 

[Not me]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Welcome! (New here myself)

“Why are we here?”

That God, might for all eternity have a people to pour out His abundant riches on. Though His Son and our Saviour the Lord Jesus.

I’ve always liked that definition.

 

[mukk_in]

I'm 47 years old and live in Derby, UK with my non-Christian husband and our 2 cats.
I have been a Christian since 2001 but it has been a very rocky path and I have fallen off the path several times, once for 5 years. I am trying hard every day to walk in faith but I have so many questions that I need answering.
That's why I thought a forum like this would be good for me to post my questions, receive others honest replies and engage in discussion. I am hoping that through the forum there will always be somebody available to talk to as I presume members are from around the world and I hope I can reciprocate by being available for others.
The one question that I always come back to is; Why are we here? What is the purpose of human life? ( I know that's 2 questions but I think you understand what I mean). We are born, we live, we die - that can't be all there is to life. Surely our lives must have some reason, some purpose - otherwise it's all pointless.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
God Bless.

Hello AnnetteL, welcome to CF. We're here to be a witness unto the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we say or do. Peace in Christ .

 

[Lady O]

Hi Annette - it's so nice to meet you here. I can see how everyone responding has their own outlook on why we are here. For me, the safest answer I have for you is the reason that God gives us.

Here are some easy ones to start with:

Isaiah 43:7 "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." God created us because it pleased Him to do so.

Revelation 4:11 ".....and for thy pleasure they are and were created." We are created for His pleasure.

Psalm 139 says every human God created was planned.

I often ponder on what it would be like to be inside the mind of Christ and see things from His vantage point. I think about it quite often actually.

I have always been a huge fan of Rick Warren because his explanation about biblical issues such as this one, resonate in my spirit and I am able to grasp very easily the logic behind what he says.

I'd be happy to talk more with you if you'd like. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

 

[drjean]

This forum is really just for introductions and welcomes. There are plenty of forums to discuss all your concerns and share with us too! Welcome!