A New Destination

If we believe in a personal and sovereign God who created us intentionally out of love, then it follows that there are some logical questions for every person to ask: why did this God create me? Which direction does He want me to go in life? What is the purpose of my brief earthly existence? Where is my destination in this life and will it affect my afterlife?

CREATED TO BRING GOD GLORY
To answer some of these vital questions let us take a look at a few passages from the Scriptures for direction. In Isaiah 43:6b–7: God says, “…bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made…” Even if the context here is directly about Israel as a people, it is easy to recognize that the words “created”, “formed”, and “made” are pointing us back to the original act of creation. The reason why humanity and the rest of creation exists is to bring glory to its Creator. In other words, we are to love, honor, praise and cherish God. We are to enjoy and make known God’s magnificence, splendor, grandeur, majesty, greatness and nobility. That is what it means to glorify God.

You and I exist to glorify God as image bearers of God. In the first chapter of the first book in the Bible we read, “…so God created man in his own image, in the image of Godhe created him; male and female he created them…” (Genesis 1:27). What is the point of an image? It is to reflect? and point to the original. The tragedy is that all of humanity has fallen short of our initial purpose to glorify God. Instead we have chosen to turn our backs on God and worship created things resembling mortal man (self) (Romans 1:23). The image of God has become terribly marred in humanity and the only person who can restore this image is God Himself. God chose “…to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…” (Col. 1:20). The way of the cross seems foolish to many, but it is the splendid power of God to those who are being saved (1 Cor. 1:18). The cross will always remain an offense to many and yet to others an evidence of God’s grace and love for mankind.

FINDING THE WAY HOME
So how do we find the way to fulfill our purpose in glorifying God? We do it by humbly running into the loving arms of the One and only true God. That is done through repentance and believing in Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38). The only road that takes us home to God is through faith in Jesus who shed His sinless blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7). The only way to be reconciled with our Creator is by putting our faith in the One who made us and made a way for sinners to have access to a Holy and magnificent God. As the Bible states: “…the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Himall things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him…” You and I were created for Jesus and the only way we can find meaning, purpose, true fulfilment and direction in life is through a loving and surrendered relationship with Him as Lord.

Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:20-21, “…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…” Paul knew his purpose for living and he had set his mind on glorifying Christ with every fiber in his body. He understood that in life and in death, Christ was to be honored through him. Do you know which way you are heading in this life and your final destination after this life? To answer this question, you need to answer another. That is, whom do you live to glorify? Jesus, self or some other image? Jesus has proclaimed to a lost humanity, “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” (John 14:6). There is no other way to God or eternal life, for “…whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them…” (John 3:36). Many do not like to consider God’s wrath and judgment. It can be uncomfortable and even terrifying. However, when you think about God’s wrath it is actually an evidence of His perfect holiness, justice and response to evil.

THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR FINAL DESTINATION
The writer of the book of Hebrews says it well: “…This world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name…” (Heb. 13:14-15). Let us keep our eyes on Jesus who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Everything starts and ends with Him. Let us trust and follow the voice of the One who spoke existence into being and now is calling His sheep to follow Him (Psalm 33:9; Col. 1:17; John 10:27). God is our final destination and only with Christ can we boldly and safely walk through death’s door. You are safe in the Savior’s hands. You can trust Him with your life.[1]He graciously forgives and renews broken people. He lovingly and sovereignly leads His people here on earth and all the way to our final eternal home in heaven. Do you believe this?[2]