The True Essence of Life

Ruth Arriane M. Flores

“The search of the purpose of life has been puzzled people for thousands
of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—
ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like, what do I want to be?
What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, and my
dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our
life’s purpose.”—Rick Warren

Much is being written these days about purpose, about finding the reason
for being here on earth. What does God want us to do in our life? Most of
the time, if you ask people about their purpose in life, they don’t know the
answer and others will give an answers like to be a good friend, to have
my own house and lot, to make others happy, to have a big and happy
family. It seems that they give another meaning to the word “PURPOSE”.
According to the dictionary, the word “Purpose” means the reason for
which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. Do you know your
purpose here on earth? Is it all about waking up in the morning? Taking a
bath? Eating breakfast? Going to school/work? Planning for own family
and enjoying life to the fullest? Does life only revolves around these
things? No. Life is not a cycle. Like what Neale Donald Walsch have said
that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You and I
were created for a purpose. Purpose that we need to know, to search for
and to fulfill. God has a reason why He put us in this world. According to
Gloria Hamilten, Purpose goes beyond our physical and emotional needs.
Purpose is something that is deeper. It’s not just about our needs, dreams
in life, talents, abilities and etc. It’s all about our existence in this world.
Have you ever thought about what life is really all about? Have you ever
asked yourself, what is my purpose in life? How can I discover my real
purpose here on earth? What should I do to fulfill it? These really an
important questions to ask and answer. These are the questions that are
being misinterpreted by others and confused many of us. We should know
and find the answers in all of these questions because our purpose will
give meaning to our life. The true essence of life is not about doing what
makes you happy; it’s all about knowing your purpose here on earth.

Truly God has a purpose for everything. Our purpose is really important
because it directs our life. Let me tell you my experience. It was so
unforgettable and wonderful. It changed my life and answered the
question, what is my purpose in life?

I remember myself doing all the things I wanted. I’ve spoken bad words,
I’ve hurt people’s feelings, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve spent most of the time
with my peers and I’ve tried drinking alcohol. In those days, I really feel
the freedom and no one can snatch it from me. I can do anything in my
life. But suddenly, everything changes. I was so encouraged with my
teacher sharing about God and how to enjoy life to the fullest. I was very
guilty and ashamed. I’ve realized that the thing I’ve done was not worth it
at all. I thought life was just about doing all the things that would make us
happy, but I was wrong. I have an encountered with God and that was the
greatest thing that happened in my life. I was so blessed and I really feel
loved and fulfillment. I now know my real purpose in life and that is to
serve God and to live life according to God’s Will. Not only the priests,
pastors and missionaries can share the word of God and serve God, but
all of us. We’re just too busy doing things that are worthless.

First thing that I wanted to share is why is it important to know our

purpose? Is it really important? Yes. Because knowing our purpose gives
meaning to our life and motivates our life.—Rick Warren. It gives us joy
and peace. Even though we’re rich or not, by knowing our purpose, our life
would be happy and satisfied. Many people are rich but they are not happy
because they are searching for something they can’t find. If we know our
purpose, our life would be something that is so wonderful. Our purpose
motivates us to persevere, serves as an inspiration to face all the
problems and enjoy life no matter how hard the situation is. Second thing
is how to discover our purpose? We can discover our purpose by reading
the Bible and through a relationship with Jesus Christ. All of the plans of
God for us were written in the Bible. We’re just too busy and lazy to read
it. We enjoy reading other books that’s why we don’t know the reason of
our being. How can we discover our purpose if we’re not willing to search
for it? It should start with us. And the last thing is how to fulfill our
purpose? We can fulfill our purpose by doing the will of God and focusing
on God’s plan for us. We should not focus on ourselves and on the things
the world offers. Fulfilling our purpose here on earth will give us true
happiness in life. After knowing that we’re here on earth for a purpose, we
need to discover it and to fulfill it. That’s the true essence of life.

Knowing, discovering and fulfilling our purpose here on earth would give
us satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Life is too short to focus on the
things that are not important. Every second, minute and hour is important.
We should not waste our time to the things in this world. Life is so
beautiful if we just know how to live it. Everything happens for a reason.
God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you
need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you
the person you were meant to be—quote. Always remember that we’re
here on earth not by accident but for a reason. We should take every
opportunity and live our life to the fullest. We must enjoy every single day
of our life. “Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has
no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.”—Rick
Warren. Start searching for your purpose. Not tomorrow, but today. Start it
now! :)