... And great earthquakes shall be in divers places ... - Luke 21:11

In a span of two days, there were more than 20 earthquake after-shocks all greater than 6.0 magnitude rocking the country of Japan. Started by a massive 8.8 magnitude quake.

Is there a Christian who's heart doesn't beat with quickened pace as he sees the increasing severity and frequency of these calamities? Right now, this world is going through birth-pains... the end is nearing. We are coming to a crisis, yes there have been world crises before, but this one is different... it is the 'final' crisis.

With such things set before us, what are we living for?

The life of all of God's creation has a purpose. The tallest mountain ash, to the humble shrub and even the lowly blade of grass have a purpose. Without them no animal or man could live. Every bird and animal have a ministry of giving life to others. God has designed a perfectly balanced ecosystem where His creation live in perfect harmony, taking only that they may give again. Consider... the ocean takes water from the rivers, only to give it back again by evaporation and rain, completing the precipitation cycle.

So all creatures have a purpose. What about you and I? Why do we live?

"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

Why were you created? Why has God given me life? God's purpose for us, the crowning act of His creation, was so we would live to give glory back to our Creator. God designed that we should be filled with all the attributes of His character. We were to give glory to God by being full of joy, happiness, love, peace, meekness, patience, innocence and purity. We were created as a testimony or witness of God's great love. Words are inadequate to describe the type of life God purposed for us.

Yet for what, does the majority of mankind live for today?

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." - Isaiah 14:13-14

I, yes that single letter, I. Sin originated in self-seeking. Which simply means seeking to live for one's own self. It was this turning away from God's purposes and seeking to do our own will that plunged mankind into a pit of misery and woe.

Today we see a generation of people who seek nothing but to please themselves. There is seldom found one who is truly giving glory to God by a life of unselfishness.

The tender heart of God was touched with grief at the plot of mankind. Jesus voluntarily chose to give up His glorious home of heaven to show us, yes you and I, how to live a life of total 100% unselfish service to God and man. Jesus showed us how to live. In everything He did Jesus gave glory to God.

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." - 2. Corinthians 5:15

Jesus lived, died and rose so you and I could follow His example of not living for self, but living for God.

Today, who do we live for? The world doesn't need any more of those who only live to please themselves. The world desperately needs to see men and women truly living an unselfish life of glory to God. Will you take up this challenge? Time is running out, let's not be found with one trace of selfishness at the appearing of Jesus.

Every faculty of our being was given us that we might render acceptable service to our Maker. When, through sin, we perverted the gifts of God and sold our powers to the prince of darkness, Christ paid a ransom for us, even His own precious blood. "He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them." You are not to follow the customs of the world. "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Ellen White, Testimones to the Church, Vol. 5, pg. 542 (emphasis added)