It seems we are in the middle of a meaning crisis. Psychologists and culture watchers have been sounding the alarm on this for a number of years—in fact, the “loneliness epidemic” was getting headlines even before Covid sent us all scurrying underground. The symptoms of our crisis include: apathy, addictions, breakdown of trust, depression, anxiety, and doom-scrolling. Sound familiar?
Why are we spiraling? Collectively, as a society, we’re a little lost. We don’t know where we are headed because we’ve lost our sense of being part of a bigger story. Back when most folks were mildly religious, they had an intuitive sense of purpose, but these days most people feel they’ve cast off the shackles of such fairy tales and are striding out confidently into… well, the void. The big, empty, meaningless void. It’s a bit dark.
So it’s fascinating from this vantage point to closely examine how the opening pages of the Bible can speak into this. The first three chapters of Genesis give us resounding answers to some of our deepest whys: why were we put here? where are we going? why is the world so messed up?
According to the Bible, the world begins in a garden with a pair of humans commissioned to cultivate a civilization. The garden is ordered, beautiful, abundant, peaceful, huge, but it’s also somewhat lonely for Adam (until Eve arrives, in a George McFly “you are my density” kind of way). Relationship makes this place complete.
Eden is somewhat akin to a temple. It vibrates with the presence of God. Instead of idols, people are put there to be his image. Instead of a hierarchy of ordinary folks and priests, everyone has access to the Lord. God himself is portrayed as strolling there in the cool of the day to spend time with his children.
There is work to do. Farming (without weeds or bad weather), engineering (with full use of the brain), city planning (without crime), poetry (without writer’s block), scientific exploration, the invention of math and music, fabric and entertainment.
The story of Eden dispels any notion that you are here by accident, in this place, in that body. It contradicts any nagging fear that you are unwanted, unloved, and useless. Nope. According to Genesis, you were carefully designed, seen, named. As Jude 1 puts it, you are “called, beloved, and kept.” You are adored, made to know the King of the universe and enjoy a one-on-one relationship with him, gifted with talents and perspective that are in turn a gift to the world.
I say “according to Genesis,” because obviously other religions offer a different account. According to some, you are a mystery. Perhaps you’re stuck in a cycle of reincarnation, paying for crimes another person committed. Perhaps you were created by the gods as a slave, or as one god took revenge on another. Maybe you are an illusion, a chemical reaction, a mistake.
Before you buy in to any worldview, it would be good to find out how they answer those core questions: why am I here? where am I headed? why is the world so broken? Just because you don’t like the answer doesn’t make it untrue, but if you don’t at least know what it is, you could be stuck with a serious case of buyer’s remorse.
In case you are investigating, I’ll give you the answer offered by the Bible.
Christianity plunks us down right in the middle of a big story. We were created with a purpose, and we are also headed somewhere.
This story not only begins but also ends in a garden, as heaven touches earth. People of every possible background are gathered there in countless throngs, all sickness healed, all joy complete. Brokenness has been restored.
But how did things get so jacked up between the first garden and the last? That’s a question for Genesis 3.
In the meantime, perhaps there is hope. Perhaps there is a purpose for your unique, individual life, as you reflect the character and personality and priorities of God in a way that only you can.
Perhaps when you look up from your tasks and your distractions and your grief you will see a great big terrible beautiful world, and not have to be afraid any longer, because you know, deep down, that you were put here for a reason, and more importantly, that you are never alone.
God is with me, and he will give me strength.
Catherine's Letters 