By Ben Quine
****The way we act is shaped by the way we look at the world. Our lives are shaped by our basic assumptions and convictions. These Worldview Articles will explore what a “worldview” is. Each person has a worldview, whether they know it or not, and it determines every decision and choice a person makes. Do you have a Biblical Worldview or are factors other than the Bible informing your choices and decisions. In this series of articles, we will take an in-depth look at 7 Vital Worldview Questions, as the starting place for building a Biblical Worldview. (These articles are adapted from David Quine’s Answers for Difficult Days “Seven Vital Worldview Questions.” David is Ben’s father and the founder of Cornerstone Curriculum a Biblically based Homeschool Curriculum.)

The “Pale Blue Dot.” Have you seen the picture? A truly beautiful photograph… It’s amazing to realize how tiny the earth is in comparison with the vastness of our solar system — not to mention the universe! To Dr. Carl Sagan this photograph revealed that humanity, the earth, and life itself are all insignificant given the scale of the cosmos. We’re just a tiny blip on the canvas of nature. So he suggested we find meaning and purpose by exploring space, searching for extraterrestrial lifeforms, and colonizing remote planets. Of course this begs the question: how can space exploration (a hopelessly too large task) give meaning?

Considering that ideas like those of Dr. Sagan are all around us today, it's little wonder that our culture is wrestling with whether life has any meaning at all. Suicide, depression, apathy abound as people ask, “Does my life have any real meaning or is it meaningless?”

We will answer that important question by first answering a few other questions:

Who am I? Where am I from?

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. (Genesis 1:26)

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. (Genesis 5:3)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

The Bible teaches that you are an incredible creation of God, made in His image, designed to exercise loving dominion over the earth. But because of your first parents’ disobedience, you were born after Adam’s image, sinful, separated from God, and deserving eternal punishment. But God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him as His children: to restore a relationship where there was no relationship!

Where am I going?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus is our savior. He paid a debt he did not owe because we owed a debt we could never pay, so that whoever believes in him should not perish.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (II Timothy 4:18)

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (I Peter 1:4)

Not only did Jesus die on the cross to pay for our sin, he has promised to return and take us to be with him in his heavenly kingdom forever.

Why am I here? What is my ultimate purpose in life?

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. (Psalm 73:25-28)

Christians, those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ, are called to set our hearts and minds on heaven. We are not to love the world, but we are to love the people in the world by telling them of the greatness and goodness of our God. Of course, this is not at all limited to evangelism. God left us here on earth for a purpose: to do good works!

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

We are also to tell of His works by living as a reflection of His character: living justly, speaking the truth, caring for those in need, designing and creating wonderful art or technology, bringing order out of chaos, creating businesses that give jobs to those in need, giving generously to those around us, teaching the next generation, and so much more.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

Whatever you do, do for God’s glory! The world will say, “That job isn’t worth anything.” Or “If you don’t have a glitzy job, you’re a failure!” But that is the opposite of God’s view: worldly status means nothing to Him. Allow this simple principle to transform every task and occupation into an act of praise to God. “Lord, I really hate to do the dishes, but I’m going to do them for you. I want to do them in a way that brings you joy. Please accept this small offering!” God will be delighted. He will be a proud father.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

Yes, we live on a tiny dot in the middle of a vast universe — but God knows each one of us by name. Jesus died so that we could be reconciled to Him. The God who created that vast universe and knows the name of every star wants to walk with you moment by moment in the daily details of your life. That is our purpose: to love Him, to bring Him joy, to bring Him praise. Ask Jesus everyday, “What do you want me to do today, Lord?” Then follow him. When you do that you will experience a life of meaning and purpose, you will experience an incredible life of adventure and victory!

Ben Quine is Vice President of Christians Engaged and is the Director of Curriculum Development and Strategic Ministry Partnerships.

Learn more about Ben on our website: christiansengaged.org/leadership

Find Ben’s corresponding “Answers for Difficult Days” books in our Christians Engaged Store