SCRIPTURE:
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Gen. 1:26, NIV)
MESSAGE:
The meaning of a word or phrase is largely determined by its context, not just how it’s pronounced or who says it. Context provides cues into intentions and meanings that would have been hard to define. Isolating a word or sentence from its context is a recipe to confusion and chaos. Similarly, our existence will be soaked in confusion if we don’t appreciate the context in which we exist. Unless we put our individual selves in the overall context, life is just a puzzle for our confusion.
Our years can be meaningless circles around the clock and our activities can seem never to add up, even our wealth and family; unless we appreciate the context in which we exist. Meaning is found in context.
The context of human existence is found in God in three or more ways.
- It is found in God’s sovereign decision to make things exist (Genesis 1)
- It is found in God’s sovereign decision to determine the character of mankind (Genesis 1:26)
- It is found in God’s sovereign decision to determine the duty of mankind (Gen. 1:26)
- It is found in God’s sovereign decision to determine the place of mankind (Acts 17:26)
- It is found in God’s sovereign decision to determine the times of mankind (Acts 17:26)
Character:
We exist because God decided to make us and the rest of the Universe exist. Some people believe they evolved from apes or some accidental collision of dusts. If that is you, then your context is different. An accident of existence can only accidentally make any meaning. And I wonder how an unintelligent and unintentional existence can make any sense. If you are just some product of chemical of no source, then there is no real need for a meaning to your life. You are just happening.
But we believe that humans were created by God. This context means that our design as a species is intentional. Our characteristics are designed by God, including our fallibility, our imperfections, our intellectual ability, talents and all. God has designed you and I. And guess what? God made us in His image and in His likeness. The first thing that means is that we are not ordinary creatures. Imagine a computer inventor embarking on a project to create a special computer which would look and be like him, giving this new computer a personhood. The personhood of this computer would distinguish it from all other machines. This computer wouldn’t be a machine. It would be a person. This is something many scientists are seeking to achieve.
Long before they ever thought of that, God decided to create one of His many creatures in His own image and likeness; giving us a character that is distinguished from every other creature. We are like God. We are God’s most advanced creation. Our composition is God’s decision.
Duty:
The second context is God’s duty for us. Of course if He created us, He gets to decide the purpose of our design. The Bible says He created us to be stewards over the rest of His creation (Gen. 1:26). He also created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7), His pleasure (Revelations 4:11), for good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). God created us, for a purpose! Our life begins to make meaning when we live in this consciousness of purpose. The meaning of our life then is that God must be pleased and God must be glorified. This year, I don’t know the plans you have. But God must be glorified in your life this year. God must get pleasure from your existence this year. You must perform the good works God predestined for you this year.
This year is not primarily for making more money, getting married, travelling, doing a job or whatever your plans are. The broader context of our lives is God. God must be glorified, God must smile upon us. God’s good works for us must be done. We are created for God and we exist for Him. Accepting our humanness includes surrendering to the glory of God and His pleasure. I don’t know how you intend fighting the glory of God in your life this year. The disciples of Jesus sought to fight it by replacing it with guilt. They said, is this child sick because of some guilt? Jesus said, it is for the glory of God. I want you to also look at that situation and circumstance this year and determine that it is for the glory of God. Your story ends with God being glorified. That is the only context that gives it meaning.
Israel sought to steal it by leaning on a broken fence for security (Isaiah 36:6). It failed, they ended up hurt and brokenhearted. The glory of God cannot be compromised. This year, give glory to God by trusting in Him. Commit your ways to God and He will direct your path. God did not only determine our character and course but also our quarters. He planted a garden and assigned Adam to it. Similarly, God has assigned you a place for your purpose. It is my prayer that you will find life’s true meaning in God. And having found your context, may everything else make meaning this year in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Lord, we thank you for our ability to see. But as we receive your Word today, we ask for the bigger picture that gives meaning to existence and everything. Someone may only be seeing the enemies around him or her. But touch their eyes to see the chariots of angels all around them. Let the bigger picture draw someone else to compassion, another to comfort and peace, another to faith in you, and many to freedom from bitterness and guilt. Show us from your heavenly view, Lord and let us see as you see. Thank you, Father, that our prayers are answered in Jesus’ Name. Amen.