PRESIDENTdesk
When I was in secondary school, I started thinking: “Why am I alive?” At the time, I knew there is a God. I also knew that he had placed me on this earth. But this God seemed to sit on his rocking chair far, far away. He had nothing to do with me, and I did not hear him telling me why I was alive.
Later, a teacher in school answered me: We are alive to enjoy God and glorify God. When I heard it, I kept thinking about it, but I did not really understand what it meant. I also did not know how to apply it to my life. But as the years passed, I understood the teacher’s words more and more. I also lived it out more and more. More than 10 years ago, I even suggested that on the two backboards of the Methodist Theological School basketball court, one should be inscribed “Enjoy God”, and the other, “Glorify God”. Playing basketball is also a way to enjoy and glorify God.
Enjoy God
To enjoy God, first we must know him. Through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day, you can know God and become a child of God, to have a father/child relationship for eternity. In this most intimate relationship, you walk with God in every moment, and enjoy his constant presence and guidance.
When I was in secondary school searching for life’s meaning, I found that God had already been searching for me through Jesus Christ. He even died and resurrected for me. I only needed to believe in Jesus in order to receive a new life, a full life. Hallelujah! From then on, Bible reading, prayer, worship, fellowship, witness, etc all became ways that I enjoyed God’s presence.
The Bible says: “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18) Not only do we enjoy the blessings from God, but we also enjoy God Himself like Mary. She said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)
But if our only purpose on earth is to enjoy God, we might as well enjoy God more in heaven. God still keeps us on this earth, because he has a greater purpose for us, which is for us to glorify Him.
Glorify God
To glorify God is to let others see God through our lives, so that they may also know God and trust in Jesus. Then they can also enjoy God and glorify God.
Jesus said: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
All major religions emphasize good works, but Christianity emphasizes that you must be saved in order to do good works. Good works will not save you, but after you trust in Jesus and are saved, you must have good works. And the best work is to bring others to Jesus Christ through your words and actions.
Without believing in Jesus, life is meaningless, because your sin is still there. You are heading towards eternal death. You have no eternal life, you have no hope.
Without proclaiming Jesus, life is also meaningless, because even though you have believed in Jesus, your life is not glorifying Jesus, and others will not glorify God when they see you.
Dear brothers and sisters, why are we alive? We are alive to enjoy God, to glorify God. How to enjoy God? Believe in Jesus. How to glorify God? Proclaim Jesus.