What was I made for?

In the April edition of the Plymouth Chronicle or here on the website, you may have read Chris Cole’s article about some recent significant health challenges he has been going through.

If you would like to listen to the interview Chris recorded about this you can listen again here.

Or watch it on the Cross Rhythms Plymouth YouTube channel here.

The content of that article will have been very close to home for many of you. At one time or another we all face periods of ill health with varying degrees of severity. Those times always come unannounced and unplanned. When you’re in the middle of it you realise just how valuable your health and life really is. Also quite how fragile and vulnerable we are. Not something we like to dwell on. Times of challenge and suffering can also leave us wondering what is life really all about?

I recently watched the film Barbie and in it there is a song by Billie Eilish entitled ‘What Was I made for?’ It won best original song at the 2024 Oscars and it is remarkably moving. Whatever you think about the film itself, this song stands out as giving a voice to a question that is universally relevant. It has the following lyrics:

“I used to float, now I just fall down
I used to know but I’m not sure now
What I was made for
What was I made for?”

It is a question that philosophers, academics and the average person on the street have been considering throughout human history. Let’s be honest it is one we often ignore or push to the back of our minds for most of our lives. But is there an answer? Were we made for something? Without revisiting last month’s article, it is certainly Chris’ lived experience that there is an answer. Not only Chris but millions of people around the world. Closer to home, the guests I’ve interviewed on the radio programme Life Stories on Cross Rhythms Plymouth all share their perspectives on finding meaning in life and an answer to this most profound question.

It is in the person of Jesus that this question has found its answer for all these people. We were made to be known and loved by the one who made us. To have a relationship with our creator. There is much more depth to that statement than can possibly be fully expanded on in this short article. The search for meaning in our lives is one we have to take ourselves. I, like Chris, believe there are answers to be found to life’s big questions.

If you are in the stage of wanting to explore this all further then you can watch any of our recent Life Stories interviews with a variety of guests from all walks of life at the Cross Rhythms Plymouth YouTube channel. Visit our channel and click on the Life Stories section. Individuals sharing the answers and hope that they have found to perhaps help you on your own life journey.

By Dave Simpson, Presenter at Cross Rhythms Plymouth

First published in the May edition of the Plymouth Chronicle