The Purpose Of My Birth

The Purpose Of My Birth                                                     September 18, 2022

“Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.  And Job said, ‘Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night which said, ‘A boy is conceived.’  May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, nor light shine upon it.”  “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:1-4, 11)

Have you ever questioned why you were born or perhaps, like Job, wish that you never had been born?  In such cases, it is likely that life has treated you harshly and you are unable to find any joy or purpose in it.  In Job’s case, his world had been turned upside down.  He had lost all his ten children and most of his possessions and wealth.  Even his best friends had made false accusations about him and brought him very little comfort. 

How would you feel if you were in Job’s situation?  It’s easy to criticize Job and say that he didn’t have enough faith but where would we be if the tables were turned and we  were in his place?  How would we feel about our life?  What purpose would our life be if it drastically took a turn for the worse as Job’s did?

Because Job’s life was burdened with such horrific hardships He questioned his purpose in living and even in being born.  When I think of the many people who have taken their lives because of being in similar situations such as Job’s I can see why they would do so.   They cannot see any purpose in continuing to exist if all they encounter in life is grief and hardships.

However, the difference between them and Job is that he had a firm conviction in the existence and love of God.  He also had integrity when it was needed the most.  When his wife told him to curse God and die, Job mentioned to her that she spoke as one of the foolish women spoke.  He went on to say that we should indeed accept good from God but also adversity.  In all his hardships Job did not sin against God with his lips (Job 2:7-10). 

Our purpose in being created is to honor God.  Our parents weren’t the only ones pleased at our birth but also God who created us.  As the main text above suggests, God cared about the day of our birth.  We were made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).  We were made to honor and praise Him during our life here on earth.  Never to curse Him when things get tough but rather to reach out to Him for help and strength so as to meet each day with optimism and hope.

Whenever we’re engulfed in anxious moments in our life the apostle Peter urges us to cast all our anxieties upon God because He truly, genuinely and sincerely cares for us (I Peter 5:7).  He doesn’t want us to go through life wishing that we were never born.  We may have it bad from time to time but at least, like Job, we have God.  To further encourage Christians in this regard the apostle Paul reminds them that all things bad in life work together for good for those called of God who sincerely love Him (Romans 8:28).  However, it’s the waiting for that good to occur that is the real test of faith.

In the numerous stories mentioned in the Bible of God’s people suffering the principle message from their lives is that one should keep waiting on God’s help with all the patience and trust one can muster together.  God will act on our behalf but only when He feels it best.  Can we trust Him to do so or will we become impatient with Him?  

Wherever we are in life & whatever we’re experiencing it is important to remember what Paul says to us while he was in prison … the Lord is nearby (close at hand to our situation) (Philippians 4:5).  May that promise brings us comfort!!

“Behold, we count those blessed who have endured.  You have heard of the endurance (patience) of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (James 5:11)

Brian Thompson