In maariv, the evening prayer, we call the mitzvot “our life and the length of our days” (chayenu ve’orech yameinu). This conveys that the mitzvot are the core of our life. If so, why would G-d create a world where most of our time goes toward practical necessities, like work, if that’s not the main part of life.
The Torah says that the purpose of creation is to make this world into a home for G-d, which we do by elevating it. It doesn’t take a mitzvah to elevate the world, but that does do the trick. Even a completely mundane act, with the right intention, can be elevated to a brick in G-d’s future home.
No matter how mundane an act is, a G-dly intention elevates it to holiness, to something fit to be part of a home for G-d. Eating for G-d’s sake, playing your favorite sport to benefit G-d, or anything of the like all makes this world into a divine home. This leads one to conclude that He has us do this many mundane and not intrinsically holy acts, so that even that which ordinarily would not be used for a mitzvah can become a G-dly brick.
Of course, this elevation, which is the purpose of all of Creation, is also each of our purpose, as we, too, are a part of Creation. If we can indeed elevate this world and fulfill our purpose with the right intention, no matter what we are doing, then we can realize our purpose every moment, too. Your purpose is not in the future, nor did it happen in the past. It’s right here, in the present.
Shabbat shalom!
Sources:
- Tanya, chapter 37