You Are Here For A Reason

            While I was in the hospital, waiting on the arrival of my youngest child, my father got into a conversation in front of me with the nurse that was assigned to help me during the birthing process. He told the nurse that he “never imagined” that he would be a grandfather of 5 healthy babies due to the fact that I was “born so early” and “struggled so much the first 3 months” of my life. The nurse, who was probably in her late 50s, asked me how early I was born and what my age was. I told her (with confirmation from my mother) that I was born at 23 or 24 weeks gestation at Vanderbilt University Hospital. I also told her my age, and her response to me was that she started working in the Labor and Delivery unit at Vanderbilt a few months before I was born. She said it was “almost unheard of” that a baby born before 26 weeks survived during the time that I was born. “We told mothers of babies who were born before 26 weeks to just hold their babies because they usually didn’t survive,” she went on to say.  Then, in the midst of the conversation, she looked at me and uttered these words, “That is amazing! You have no idea how blessed you are to be here. You are definitely here for a reason!”
          I remembered that nurse’s words because what she said is true. I am here for a reason, and so are you! God chose for all of us to come into this world for a reason, even before we were conceived.  “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; . . .”(Jeremiah 1:5).  You were chosen by God to be someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s mother, grandmother, etc. God has a Plan for all of us, and He only wants what is best for us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11). As Christians, God’s ultimate Plan for us is to reach Heaven and to take as many souls with us as we can. He employs His angels to help us in this life in unknown ways as well. “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14).
        In order to make sure that we are living our lives according to God’s Plan, we must be sure to live as faithful Christians. Although God gave us our life to be here on the earth to live out His will, we still have free will, and can choose whether or not we want to follow Him.  “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15).
         No matter what we are facing in this life, we can take comfort in the thought that we have a purpose in this life, which is to fear God and keep His Commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).  God chose us to do the works that He wants us to do.  He has created us as unique individuals, giving us talents and abilities to use.  We are all unique and special, made in the Image of our Creator. We were made for the Glory of God. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43:7). We should be thankful always to God for everything He has given us, especially our very lives. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14) We are so important that Christ came to die for us. (Matthew 26-28). Best of all, He has given us the hope of Heaven, which makes everything we have to face in this life all worth it! May be all live up to our best potential in this life, because we are all definitely here for a reason!