Does My Life Really Matter?

Lack of meaning and purpose are unintended consequences of non-theistic evolution. According to this naturalistic worldview, there is no difference in significance between the starving child in Africa and a cigarette butt. Both are accidents. Both are the results of cosmic dust. Both are objects to be discarded when they get in the way of the survival of the fittest. Man has no inherent value, worth, or significance. Perhaps, when one looks ahead at life and sees all the disease, pain, heartbreak and death to come, one ought to just call it quits and end his miserable existence. Suicide becomes the logical “next move” of the one tired of his pitiful, meaningless and purposeless life.

However, this is not the Christian worldview. According to the Scriptures, man has a divinely ordained purpose. He has been custom-made by the Creator and has a unique duty to perform each and every day. This “life purpose” can be found in many biblical passages. David succinctly presents it in Psalm 8.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Within this psalm, prayer and song, David is reminded of the Majestic Lord. He is the God who dwelt in perfect harmony, satisfaction, comfort, contentment, and celestial bliss. As the independent and self-satisfying deity, he needed nothing from no one. However, this perfectly satisfied and contented deity, determined to create the moon, stars, planets, and fathomless galaxies. Additionally, he created the angelic host who serve him from on high. Later he created the marvelous birds of the air, beasts on the earth, and creatures that dwell in the water. But all this was anticlimactic in comparison with his final work of creation. On the sixth day, the Majestic Lord created mankind whom he crowned with glory and honor:

• Men and women were created according the design of the Trinitarian Counsel.
• Men and women were created in the image of God; this was not true of angels or animals.
• Men and women were created with a soul distinct from the body.
• Men and women were created to worship by discerning right and wrong; and doing what God commands.
• Men and women were created to worship by developing lifelong intimate relationships; they were to enjoy community.
• Men and women were created to worship by praying; they were to enjoy communion and friendship with God.
• Men and women were created to worship by creatively governing the planet; they were God’s managers.

Friends, this is our calling. We have been custom-made to worship. Today, we are to discern right from wrong and do what our Lord commands. We are to be holy. Additionally, we are to live in community with our neighbors. We are not to be isolated. We are not to be focused on self. We are to glorify God by improving our brothers and sisters. Without ceasing, we are to pray. And we are to honor the Lord by being industrious and not wasting our day. So, in prayer, let us ask the Lord four questions:

• How would you have me repent and adjust my life today in order to be obedient, holy and pleasing to you?
• Which neighbors would you have me encourage today?
• Today Lord, will you please summon me and remind me to more regularly pray?
• Given the health, resources, and opportunities you have given me, how can my work bring you glory and honor.

Jesus Christ came to earth and saved us that we might be God’s workmanship created to do good works. Today, we are God’s renewed image-bearers created to honor and glorify him. Today, we are to let our lights shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our father in heaven. Friends, we have been crowned with glory and honor so we might — today and every day — cast our crowns before the feet of our Creator, Savior and Lord — Jesus Christ.