“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for . . . part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)

Mark Twain once said the two most important days in your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why.

God has created everything with a purpose. Every plant has a purpose. Every star has a purpose. Every animal has a purpose. If your heart is beating, God has a purpose for your life. The very fact that you’re alive makes your life meaningful.

If you want to know your purpose, you won’t find it in a self-help book, on television, or in the movies. You also can’t find it within yourself because you didn’t make yourself. God made you.

Only God—the one who created you—can tell you your purpose.

The Message paraphrase says this: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for . . . part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11-12).

You were made by God; you were made for God. Until you understand that, your life will not make sense.

The Bible says you were made to last forever. One day, your heart will stop. That will be the end of your body, but it won’t be the end of you. God has long-range plans for your life. He wants you to live forever and ever and ever.

You’ll spend more time on the other side of death than on this side. You might get 80 or 100 years of life on this side of death, but on the other side is eternity.

The Bible says you’re not yet ready for heaven. You need to learn some things first. This life is preparation for the next life—because that’s the life that will keep on going forever and ever.