Open Question 1: Why are we here?

Another way to phrase this question is, “Why was I born?” or “What, exactly, is the point of being a human?” An honest follow-up to the initial question is, “Is there a point?”

These are fantastic questions to ask ourselves at every stage of our lives. The answers reflect our values and beliefs, which can change as we sojourn through the seasons of our existences. The answer to the question for a young mom might be to take care of her kids. The answer for an emerging artist could be to realize their full creative potential. Here’s the thing: each person must answer the question for themself, and every response has the possibility of being truly unique. A useful clarification for the question is to ask oneself, “Why am I here?”

When someone asks me why we are here, I respond, “What do you think?” Answering a question with a question redirects the mystery back to the asker. If someone is inquiring, then they need to figure it out for themself.

Truthfully, I have struggled with this question at many times in my life. During really tough stretches of my journey, I’ve questioned the Divine about my very existence. A couple years ago, I had an insight which led me to an answer that feels right. It came to me while flying home from Minnesota, after attending a nephew’s graduation. Staring out the window at the blood-red clouds in the sky, I felt a rather eschatological dread, wondering what that red sky could mean. Then I settled into the question, “Why am I here?” It came to me: I am here to be with my loved ones. I am here to be part of “us.” The “us” is my family, friends, communities, and folks I serve in the hospital. I am here to be in different kinds of relationships, including relationship with myself and with the Divine. The answer to “why” is “we”- to be alongside others.

Many brilliant philosophers and theologians have written thousands of tomes on why we exist. Holy scriptures from every culture on earth provide reasons. Yet as I get older and develop my skills in spiritual care, I see every person as needing to answer the question personally. I have my answer, but that does not have to be anyone else’s. My hope for each person who I visit with is that they know it’s okay to answer that question for themself, and in fact, their personal reflection is the only one that really matters.

A little optional homework: reflect on your “why” and see if it has changed over the years.