Why are we here? For what reason are we alive? Why are we on planet earth for 80+ years? Some might say to live a long life. Here’s what the Bible says about long life. “Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years’ “(Genesis 6:3). Remember this statement was spoken by God pre-flood when men lived significantly longer. Nowadays if we live a long life it’s between 80 and 100 years. Abraham died at 175 and he died at a “ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life” (Genesis 25:8). The reality is “our times are in His hands.” We can take all the safety precautions we choose but God has the final word on our length of days. There’s got to be a better reason for why we’re here than simply living as long a time as possible.

Are we here to live a successful life? Does success mean a life of comfort, wealth, and ease culminating in a cushy retirement filled with travel, golf, and fine dining? That is the goal of many. A businessman makes investments for his future retirement but he has no idea if he’ll live long enough to spend them. He may wind up leaving all his wealth to others. Such was the case of the rich farmer in Luke’s gospel (12:16-21).

I would submit for your consideration that the goal of life is neither longevity nor wealth accumulation. The goal of life is now and always has been to do the will of God regardless of how long you live or how much wealth you have. The life well lived is a life spent doing God’s will. Jesus put it this way, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21). The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Is it good to live a long life? Sure, provided it is spent doing God’s will and not my own. Is it good to accumulate wealth or to retire? Sure, as long as you do the will of God. Now the question is, what is the will of God? The Bible is replete with examples and teachings on the will of God. Consider, Matthew 18:35 tells us God’s will is that we forgive one another. Mark 8:34 calls us to do God’s will by denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus. John 6:40 describes God’s will as believing on His Son, Jesus Christ.

What’s the goal of life? To know and do the will of God. Do you know His will for your life? What great calling has He called you to? What burning passion has He put in your heart?

It’s time! It’s time to do the will of God.

Irv