God created us because He desires a relationship with us.
While God is self-sufficient and lacks nothing, the overwhelming explanation points to a desire for connection, love, and the sharing of His goodness. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
-
To Share His Goodness: God's very nature is goodness, love, and truth. Creation, including humanity, allows Him to express and share these attributes. Without creation, the fullness of God's character would, in a sense, be unexpressed.
-
For Relationship: The desire for relationship is a core element of the answer. God didn't just want automatons; He wanted beings capable of loving Him back, of understanding His nature, and of partnering with Him.
-
To Display His Glory: Creating a universe and humanity allows God to showcase His power, wisdom, and beauty. We, as part of creation, are a testament to His creative capacity and greatness.
-
Love: Love needs an object. God, being love, desired beings to love and who could love Him in return.
In essence, while God doesn't need us, He wants us. He created us out of love, to share His goodness, and to have a relationship with us. He values companionship, connection, and the mutual experience of love and joy.