The worst mistake anyone could make is to live without a purpose. Similar to living without a purpose, is living without recognizing the gifts, talents or skills that we are endowed with. I marvel at how people in the same family will have a different outlook of life and so they choose paths which are completely opposite.

In addition, I have heard the statement that the graveyard is rich with talent and dreams that never materialized. In other words, so many people died before writing that book, starting that business or simply being who they were supposed to be.

When I was a child, I remember attending a funeral. I cannot remember whose funeral it was, but there is only one thing I remember about that funeral. A gifted soloist sang a very inspiring song, and some of the lyrics I believe were If I can help somebody ...then my living shall not be in vain, no my living shall not be in vain. His deep baritone voice soon reached a crescendo as if it were beckoning to me to take heed.  I decided there and then, that I would do what I could to help other people.  I did not want to live in vain. I do not know how successful I have been in sticking to that plan, but I do feel fulfilled each time I go beyond the call of duty in order to help others.

Nothing is more rewarding than knowing that someone was blessed by my efforts no matter how small or insignificant it may appear to be. It is perhaps what is meant by the Scripture which states it is more blessed to give than to receive.

It is imperative that we all realize that we have an opportunity to do many great things while we are alive. Once we die, that opportunity no longer exists, except if we come back to life. Some people do come back to life, but those cases are rare indeed. So it is best to make a decision to as far as possible, fulfill our purpose for being here on earth.

Everyone at some point in their lives has asked valid questions such as: How did the world begin? Who am I? Who made me? Why am I here? What happens to me when I die? All those questions are valid. Various people seek to offer answers to those questions.

Scientists believe that the world started with a big bang billions of years ago. In other words, they believe the world exists purely by chance. They also believe that we evolved from apes or monkeys. I cannot accept those theories because the world or even nature is far too organized to give credit to mere chance. In addition, I am no descendant of a monkey or an ape. I am far more intelligent than both creatures. I will not identify with a so-called homosapien or ape-like creature. I have not heard of either a monkey or an ape teaching at a university, or even graduating from a higher institution.

If none of the above explains our existence, then how did we get here? I accept the fact that order was created from disorder. In other words, a Superior Being decided to make angels who shared many of his experiences with Him. After creating these angels. The earth and man was created. This Superior Being is known as God.

The story of creation and the first human beings is as real as I am real. This Superior Being, God, is the origin of everything that is good and creative. When I was growing up I was so thankful that God will always be good. If He was bad I shudder to think of the things He could have done even to us as human beings. We do not really deserve the good things He has given us, because we are really evil. We are selfish and self-centered. Anyone who does not believe this can watch the news and read the newspapers. Murder, theft, lying and all the other vices are inherent in man.

God did not create us evil. He created us with a will power and a mind of our own. He allowed us to exercise that will power without His intervention. Unfortunately the first man and woman messed up by making wrong decisions. The good news is that man does not have to remain evil.

There is a purpose for us to be here on earth. It is extremely important that we discover our purpose while we are here. In that way, we can live fulfilling lives. We will not be given a chance to be born again as babies and be delivered from our mothers' womb again.

No one lives a problem free life. However, if we have made a decision to live the way we were created to live, it will be easier to deal with the problems. We will realize and recognize that we have a purpose to fulfill. Some of us believe that we will not die unless the purpose for us being here is fulfilled.

Whether or not this is true, it is a good idea to live each day as if it were our last. We need to take the time to protect and provide for those we are responsible for. In other words, those of us who brought children in this world have the responsibility to provide for them. We also need to train them to be respectful, as well as responsible for their actions.

Our purpose is also interwoven in the fact that we should always be setting a good example for others. As soon as we become aware of morality, we should always do what is right morally. This truth should influence any decision we make in life. Most of us, for example had parents who taught us to not use curse words. We may think that when we became adults we can start using those words. We are wrong. It is immoral to use curse words, even as adults.

Many of the things that our parents told us as children to avoid still apply to us as adults. i followed my mother's example when I was a child. She was not an addict, and she was not promiscuous. In essence, she did not participate in anything that was shameful. Thankfully by following her footsteps, I have made similar choices. Even though I am now an adult, I am aware that I am still influenced by her good.

The truth is that we all have an influence on other people. Therefore it is very important that we recognize who we really are, and who we need to be. Once we have the answers to those questions we need to do all that is within our power to continue to be who we were meant to be.

God has a plan for us to live fruitful lives. This can become a reality when we accept Him for who He really is, and rely on His help to fulfill our purpose. Even though the reason for our existence may be similar in many ways, we may have a different purpose for being here. In other words, my purpose for being here might be to serve God as well as to teach and train children. Someone else might be put on earth to focus on preventing disease as well as caring for the sick.

It is interesting to note that we may very well need to accomplish many tasks. Some of us may be required to get married, have children, teach in schools, write music and minister. However, another individual might be called to be a missionary in another country and so they may not even desire to get married or have any children. Therefore, we are all called to fulfill a purpose which may be different from others. Our purpose may also include several roles which can be fulfilled at the same time or at various periods of time.

Ultimately, we need to find out what is our purpose for being here. We will in fact be held accountable for doing or not doing what we are to do. The best way to find out is to read the manual, the Word of God, from the Creator Himself, who knows why He put us here. We can also find out by praying to Him and seeking an answer from Him. My favorite morning radio show hosts from the Yolanda Adams Morning Show like to end the program by saying: Pray about everything and worry about nothing. I think that is excellent advice to follow in fulfilling our purpose. Coincidentally, the hosts focus on living on purpose.

There are some adults who seemingly live for themselves and apparently do not care what effect their choices have on others. They tend to live selfishly and they literally expect other people to meet their needs. I do not believe they are fulfilling their purpose in life. I think they are basically immature since they are being dependent rather than doing what is required to survive and to make a positive contribution to society.

Unfortunately, sometimes we literally waste valuable time here on earth by sometimes indulging in smoking, drinking, playing video games excessively, refusing to work and living recklessly. Thankfully some of us find out before it is too late that there is more meaning to life and that there is a greater purpose than merely going through the routine of existing.

Whitney Houston is a good example of someone who for years merely existed for the most part. Now she has resumed her role and rediscovered her purpose for being here. She has excelled as an artiste and as a mother. She has proven to herself and to the world that we do make mistakes, but we can decide to get back in the right direction.

When we admit our failure, we build character. We can also get back on the right track and reap the rewards of doing the right thing.

I highly recommend Rick Warren's package on The Purpose Driven Life, as is shown below for your shopping convenience. Our lives can be dramatically changed by investing less than twenty dollars in information that can inspire us to be the best we can ever be. I have read his book. I found it to be thought-provoking. It motivates us to truly live purposefully.

Finally, we cannot debate the fact that everything has a purpose. The magnificence of nature speaks for itself. The beauty and splendor of the mountains, the valleys, the trees, flowers, grass, lakes, rivers and so many other aspects of nature. The beautiful array of natural colors and the variety of landscapes reveals the creative nature of our God. The cycle that vegetation goes through. The cloud, the rains and the snow that refreshes the earth. Transpiration, respiration, photosynthesis, radiation and all the natural and scientific processes take place for specific reasons. It is never too hot nor too cold on the earth. Temperature is usually constant. Our bodies adjust to the changes. Everything is controlled by a master plan.

I am so overwhelmed by the fact that we live on a planet called earth. Apparently the only planet ideal for human life. There is proof that it is round, and that we live on the surface. Yet we will never fall off earth, because of the law of gravity which is constant. Can you imagine what would happen if gravity was to cease?

There is sufficient oxygen and other gases in the atmosphere for billions of people, animals and plants to survive. An adequate water supply and food exists for us all to live. No other planet seems to have the same features of earth. We have all that we need and even more. Did all this happen by chance? I do not think so. I am sure it is not chance. It has happened for a purpose inasmuch as we are here for a purpose.

Yes, there have been natural disasters which obviously cannot be controlled by man. Some may be predicted, but they are only prevented by God's intervention. Unfortunately, too many people have lost their lives to some of these disasters. It has been said that man initiated these disasters by disobeying God in the garden. In any case these disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms, tempests, tsunamis and others do remind us that someone greater than us controls the earth.

I am reminded of the story of the storm at sea. Jesus' disciples thought they would perish. They looked to Jesus for help. They found Him sleeping in the midst of the storm. How many of us could actually sleep calmly while the wind and waves rocked the boat uncontrollably? I know I could not. However, when His disciples asked Him if He did not care if they perish, He merely told the winds and waves to be still. The best part, is that nature obeyed. They were puzzled. They wondered what manner of man was able to cause even the winds and waves to obey Him.

One day we will all have to obey Him too. We can choose to do so now, or we will do it later. The reality is He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Our lives are safe with Him. We can trust Him to tell us our purpose here on earth, because we are here primarily because of Him. He came to give us life and to give us more abundantly.