Aziz: Why was I ever born? Why am I here?

Voice: You were created by a loving God as an expression of his love. You're "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:4). You were created to display God's handiwork of love, his finest expression of himself.

Aziz: Love! I feel no love! I'm alone, hurting, without a reason or purpose for living. Why am I here?

Voice: The Almighty said, "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth" (Exodus 9:16). You were created to reflect his image, to witness and express the creative powers of God and to tell others of it.

Aziz: What power? I feel no power. I don't know what to do.

Voice: You have much to do. The divine creator said, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). You were created to carry out his plans.

Aziz: I have no plans, no purpose. I'm lost and alone.

Voice: You do not have to be alone. God who created you desires to have you recognize and call out to him. He "is near to all who call on him" (Psalms 145:18).

Aziz: What God? I am alone and powerless.

Voice: If you are powerless, it is because you are refusing to recognize and use the powers your creator has given you. You have the power to know things, to think, to reason and to choose. You can choose to serve yourself or the God who created you.

Aziz: I don't know God!

Voice: He knows you. Acknowledge him and "If you seek him, he will be found" (1 Chronicles 28:9).

Aziz: How do I find him?

Voice: He invites, "Come now, let us reason together." (Isaiah 1:18). God loved you so much "that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). He wants you to know him and to love, serve, honor and glorify him.

Aziz: I want to know him.

Voice: Then call on him. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21).

Aziz: Lord, I call. I am a man of deep sorrow and without hope. Help me! Forgive me of my sins. Help me to believe. Accept me. Tell me what to do.

(He stands with his glowing face turned heavenward and his hands uplifted in praise.)

Aziz: Father, I thank you and praise you. I will love you, serve you and witness to others of your astounding grace. You have given me joy and purpose. I now know why I am here. I will honor and glorify your name by being obedient to your word, for that is why I am here.

Loree Brown is a member of the Wai'anae United Methodist Church. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035.