We all make plans every day. Some plans are short-term, like planning our route to drive to work or making a grocery list. Others are more long-term, like deciding a career to pursue or a person to marry. Forming plans is one of the things that make us unique as humans. We don’t operate according only to animal instincts or mechanical laws of nature; we set goals and we work toward them.

But there are times when we long for a greater purpose. Our individual plans may come and go, but we want to know that life itself has a purpose and is heading somewhere meaningful. In other words, we desire a higher purpose.

Christianity teaches that life does indeed have such a purpose. In the Christian understanding, God created the universe and everything in it with the goal of demonstrating his glory and love to his creation. We humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation, and he has given us the responsibility to reflect his glory in the world. That is our ultimate purpose—one that gives substantial meaning to each of our lives.