Who Am I? What Am I Here For?

Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1: verses 4 & 5 Life Application Study Bible)

Why am I here? What is my purpose?

Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but, from experience, I know this leads to hopelessness and despair. The starting place must be our Creator and His eternal purposes for each life.

I was born of German parents in Ukraine which was then part of Russia. During the second World War we fled from our country always just ahead of the Russian front. We lived in refugee camps across Europe. As displaced persons, we refugee kids were made to feel that we were not as good as children born in the country. Later, when we immigrated to Canada, I became an immigrant girl who never fit in with her teen crowd. I didn’t speak English, I couldn’t relate to the culture, I was hopeless at sports. I was a misfit

Even at home, I couldn’t please. "Why can’t you be like other girls?" The edge in my mother’s voice made me feel that she was disappointed with me.

The voices outside myself--and the voice within me--told me that I don’t have what it takes. I carried this mind-set well into adulthood. When I first heard that Jesus loved me enough to die for me (not just for the whole wide world, but for Me!) I could hardly believe it. But there was more: He wanted to adopt me into His family. This would happen through Jesus Christ. If I would receive Him as my Savior and Lord, I would become a child of God. He would take me just as I am. One day, I asked Him to come into my life. And He did!

Slowly it began to dawn on me that because Jesus lives within me, I have what it takes to live a joyous, productive life. In the grand scheme of things, I have a place. I have a destiny. I have an inheritance that is eternal. I felt like celebrating my new identity. After careful thought, I gave myself the name Grace. Every time I write my name, I’m celebrating the fact that I belong to the best family in the world: God’s family. And all because of Grace–Great Riches At Christ’s Expense.

Where are you in this faith journey? Has life given you some cruel blows? Do you feel excluded from the in-crowd? These hurtful things, don’t have to define you. The real truth about you is found in Ephesians 1:3-14. Put your name where it says "we" or "us". Say the verses out loud to yourself, adding, "this is who I really am."

Father, I pray that all who read these words will know the hope to which you have called us. May they experience the power of the risen Christ within and walk with dignity and joy.