Igneous Quill

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Narrative:

Counter-Narrative:

"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." - Genesis 1:31

In ancient times the myths spoke of the world as an accident. There was a war among the gods and out of the carcass of the dead came the universe. Against this the Hebrew Scriptures spoke of purpose and value. The world is because there is a supreme deity who made all things and called them "good." In our times the scientific understanding of evolution combined with the vastness of space and time is being interpreted by some to bring back that meaninglessness. Against this the Scriptures still speak.

"...for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him." - Colossians 1:16

It isn't just that the cosmos came into being through the agency of a benevolent Creator, but that this God is supreme over all things, including over the powers that oppress. All things, including the powers, authorities and you and me, exist by and for Christ. In Him we find our purpose.

"But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Sin is real. We can see it in ourselves and the world around us. We are unworthy in every way, but through his death, Christ paid our ransom in his own blood. Our worth is now tied to his.

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - Romans 8:19-25

The world, created good, is polluted by human sin and bound, awaiting the the resurrection and judgment of humankind. The universe and even our tiny world and species have a purpose in the plan of God.

"Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Life matters. What we do matters. We matter. Believe it.

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See Also:
Meaning and Purpose on the Pale Blue Dot
Faith, Baptism and Becoming a Disciple of Jesus