Why are you here? The question is not why are you sitting in front of your computer reading this article. Why are you here? Why are you on the earth? What is your purpose for being alive? What were you created to do?

Some will respond, "I truly don't know."

Another might say, "Maybe I'm here just to occupy space."

"I guess if nothing else I am here to fill a chair at the table ... maybe."

"I'm just a number."

Here's some good news: there is a bigger purpose. There is a reason for you being here. You are here to do more than just occupy space, fill a seat, or be a number. And here's even more good news: you don't have to take my word for it. See for yourself.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

The first nine verses remind us of who we were and where we were. The emphasis is on "were," not what we are. The change came when "God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ." He continues by reminding us that we have been saved by the grace of God.

Why would He do that and for what purpose? The answer is found in the last sentence:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What is your purpose?
There's your reason for being. You were created to do good works. God has a plan for you. He has a purpose for you. He has been planning for you. He knew you were coming. Now that you are here, He has a purpose for you.

Not just any good works, but good works that He has designed for you to do. You were not placed on this planet just to occupy space. You were placed here to do the God's good works.

Maybe you are here to be a godly mother for your children who need to know the tenderness of God's love. Maybe you are here to be the dad who teaches his son how to be a godly man, and show his daughter the kind of man God wants her to marry.

Maybe you were created to lead a church. Maybe you were created to teach children about how Jesus loves them. Maybe you were created to be the one godly man in the life of an athlete who needs to see how a man of God conducts himself in a world that lacks integrity and true character.

Maybe you were created to take care of the medical needs of orphaned children in a village on the other side of the world. Maybe you were created to teach English or Math or History to students in the school in your neighborhood. Maybe you were created to stay right where you are and be who you are with your friends and your neighbors.

What is your purpose?

You were created to be the best you that you can possibly be.