THE PURPOSE OF MAN - PART 1

 THE PURPOSE OF MAN - PART 1

Man has never been satisfied. There has always been this longing, this desire and this insatiable hunger in his soul. He has always asked that question whose answer has proven elusive. The question "WHY?"

Why am I here? what is the essence of life? There certainly is more to just living for 50 or 70 years and marrying, giving birth to children, eating and sleeping. In short it has been a search for the true meaning and purpose of life

In a bid to solve this million-dollar question, man has resorted to religion, he has resorted to mystics and medieval traditions and animism. What is the result? further confusion. You must have heard phrases like "connect to the universe or reach out to your inside". All bunch of intelligent nonsense that leaves the devotee much more confused than before .

You wouldn't be surprised to see people with eyes closed, legs crossed and arms folded practicing meditation, yoga stretches and some even take long vacation in thick forests in a bid to dig down into the innermost recess of their souls just to find the answer to the true essence of Life. No wonder the Bible in Ecclesiastes 10:15 says "The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city."

But it wouldn't surprise you to know that what we are looking for in Sokoto (a northern state in Nigeria) is actually in the pocket of our sokoto (Yoruba word for men's trousers). It all started in the beginning when God created man. Gen 1:1 tells us that "in the beginning God created the heaven and the Earth". So when we look at our vast universe, we know that it was all created by God. But what we should also know is that our God is a God of purpose. He doesn't do things just for fun, and his word shows us that everything he created was created for and with purpose.

Take for instance, the sun and the moon, the Bible clearly states that the sun was created to provide light during the day while the moon was created to provide light during the night (Gen 1:16) They were created for a purpose. Consider the stars also, most people have spent hours just staring at the stars and admiring their beauty and splendor. But they were not just created for aesthetic purposes alone Gen 1:14 tells us that they were created for signs, seasons, days and years. You know some sailors in ancient times even use the stars to navigate and find their way home. They were created for a purpose. 

What about the animals, the fishes, birds,the insects, the grasses, the trees, the microscopic organisms, even the air all for a purpose. I think if we were to start listing their purposes we will all be here all day. They all have a specific purpose and function.

Now wouldn't it be strange if God who in HIS eternal wisdom created these things with definite purpose and functions, then decides to create Man and says "well let them just live, you know eat, drink, sleep, probably die at a good old age and then we will see what happens". I am sure that doesn't sound like the God we have been introduced to from Gen1:1 – 25

If He (ELOHIM) could create all other creatures both animate and inanimate with definite purpose then it is logical to say that He created man with a purpose as well. You are not created to only survive and then die, but you are created to serve a purpose and live.What this means is that anyone that serves purpose always lives, though may be dead. Take for example; our saviour Jesus Christ, Paul the apostle, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela etc they all served purpose and still live though are dead. Their works still live on and will still continue to speak generations to come. This is what happens when a man seeks out his Purpose. 

Then comes the zillion dollar question

What then is the purpose for man's creation?

As it was said earlier, "what we go to look for in Sokoto is in the pocket of our sokoto".

Gen 1:26 is the first instance of man being mentioned in the Bible. Here we see the Triune God saying "let us make man in our own image after our likeness". This was the only instance when something or someone rather was created in God's image. This will boost your self-esteem. Meaning you and God look alike! Like you resemble God! Isn't that wonderful. This God that made all you can see today and He calls you his carbon copy. Hence, when someone tells you "you look ugly" or "you look like an ape or monkey", you don't have to feel bad or sad because if he knew the scriptures, he would not have said that. The Bible says in Psalms 139:14  "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works". You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Hallelujah!!!

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Impact Team