HAVING AN IDENTITY CRISIS

Many of us come to a point in our lives when we begin to question the purpose of our existence.  We start asking ourselves questions like:

“Who am I?”

“Why did God make me?”

“What good have I achieved during my life?”

“Why do I feel as if my life has been pointless?”

“What have I contributed to make the world a better place?”

Our catechism books say that the purpose of our lives is “To know God, to love God, to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him in the next.” 

In order to know God better, we ought to read more often the Bible and other spiritual books written by the saints and well-known holy priests like Father Faber and Father Lasance.  We also should pray every day for the grace to become enlightened and to understand God better.

In order to love God better, we ought to read and converse with others frequently about the love which He has for mankind.  We should also make time to contemplate and discuss how much Our Blessed Lord has sacrificed for us.  For, if we truly understand the intensity of His love for us, we will hardly be able to help ourselves from loving Him in return.

In order to serve God better, we ought to learn how to be more charitable to our neighbor.  For, by assisting others through charity and mercy, we indirectly serve God Himself.

When we find ourselves questioning the purpose of our life, it is important to remember that we are all just tools in the Hands of God.  The more docile we are to His Will, the more we will achieve in our lifetime.  If we do not feel as if we have accomplished anything for His honor and glory, we most likely have not yet learned to submit our lives completely to His control. 

God often waits to show people their vocation or major calling in life until they have reached a certain degree of sanctity or spiritual responsiveness.  Therefore, if we wish to contribute something truly worthwhile to the world, we should first examine our souls and try to become more virtuous and perfectly resign ourselves to the Holy Will of God.  For, if we become a submissive and worthy instrument of God, He will be more likely to choose us to accomplish a greater role in His Divine Plan for mankind.