People who go through near death experiences often question why they are still alive. I don’t think they’re the only ones who need to consider such a thought. Perhaps it’s easier for those who have been living pretty smoothly to come up with an answer, or at least, a theory. After all, we might imagine we’re still alive because we have family to take care of, we haven’t yet completed that lasting legacy we need to leave behind, or any number of other “no one else could fulfill what I’m doing” slots. I know, it sounds selfish, but really, aren’t most the reasons we state as our reasons for living pretty selfish? We can say our reasons are other-oriented, but we’re right in the middle of them. We’re the indispensable ones other people or a situation cannot continue without us. After all, they’re our lives. Of course, they’re about us!

In Exodus 9:16, God says to Moses (to tell Pharaoh), “I have let you live for this purpose: to show you My power and to make My name known in all the earth.”

Well, that pretty much wraps it up. Isn’t that why any one of us is still alive? Isn’t that why we’re alive in the first place?

Let’s be clear. Things didn’t work out for Pharaoh. He didn’t have an about-face moment when he acknowledged God’s authority and became His strongest disciple. No where close. But that doesn’t mean God didn’t show His power and make His name known through Pharaoh’s life. God can use us even when we refuse to be used by Him. God can use people who refuse Him in our lives, too.

We all have choice. God gifted us with free will. (Of course, it doesn’t always feel like a gift.) God isn’t surprised by anything we choose or fail to choose. Now, we could get into the whole predestination thing and explore foreknowledge, God’s will, and try to explain how everything is connected. Sometimes, it makes sense to me. Many times, it doesn’t. My level of understanding doesn’t determine my faith though. The bottom line is…

God gives us life. Only He is able to give life. And He does not create anything without purpose. He can weave purpose in the beautiful and with mucky scraps of threads. We don’t always give Him ideal building materials, but He uses it.

God will reveal His power and make His name known. He’s been doing it since the beginning of time and will continue forever. Just so you know…in case you ever wonder why you’re still alive.