Here is a question that, taken seriously, should infuse meaning into all we do: Why am I meant to be alive right now?
The key words here are right now. We can talk endlessly about meaning as a concept and never come to any conclusion that will change our current experience. Right now changes the whole conversation. It’s not “Why am I alive?” as a general question, it’s, “Why am I alive right now?” Suddenly it’s immediate. What am I doing right now? Is what I am doing right now in line with why I am meant to be alive? Does it fit into the overall plan? If not, why am I doing it? Such thinking connects me with my calling, it aligns me with my gifts, and it shows me where and when I need to make changes in my life.
Now don’t misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean everything has to be serious. Fun is a part of why we are alive. Jesus wants us to live life, and live it more abundantly. Fun, rest, and relaxation all fit into the overall plan; it’s just that if we are always conscious of why we are alive, we will do everything with greater certainty that we are doing the right thing.
This even plays into our thought life. Is what I am thinking about right now part of why I am meant to be alive? Is it helping me fulfill my purpose? Is this daydream part of why I am alive right now? Is it adding anything to the reason I am here?
Right now are important key words. They have nothing to do with the past and they are not connected to the future. Thinking about right now helps us deal with what is actually there and actually happening. How much preaching is concerned with right now versus a sermon that makes me feel good, but in the end doesn’t demand anything of me? I can go home to Sunday dinner without anything that made me too uncomfortable. “Don’t spoil the roast,” was the unwritten rule about Sunday morning preaching, in my experience.
In contrast, Marti’s first question after she hears me speak is, “So what?” Why does she always have to mess up my nice tight presentation with something about the here and now? She wants to know what everyone is going to do with what they’ve heard right now. She never heard the unwritten rules of preaching.
Before you hit that snooze button tomorrow morning, I want you to think, “Is this part of why I am alive right now?”
John Fischer The Catch 
Right this very minute, I am about to leave work and spend the weekend with my wife in hopes that I’ll be good company for her as she slips further into Alzheimer’s.
Right now, I’m thinking of places to drive her to, of old records to play that she’ll sing along with, and meals to prepare that evoke pleasant memories of comfort food.
At this moment, my focus is on Paula as she slowly passes away in my care.
Thank you for asking.
Shalom, Peace…
Thanks for asking this question. I have moments where I wonder why am I alive now. You know I am battling depression and at times feel suicidal. I must keep remembering that we all have a reason to be alive now. This is more helpful than you know. I have to keep remembering that Jesus loves each of us and we have a purpose to be here now. Great message from the most important question I have heard maybe ever. Thank you and the Catch Family so much.