In the book “Life Worth Living,” the authors ask two philosophical questions: Where are we? Who are we? We could define these questions as cosmological and anthropological questions. Questions that ultimately drive the narratives of our lives.
Until we locate ourselves somewhere in history, in a place like earth, or grasp who we are (identity), life has little meaning. We end up moving through the world chasing every thought, feeling, whim, and next experience with little direction. So how do we answer the where and who question of life? The Christian tradition answers these foundational questions in a unique way.
God made a good world, a world rooted in his love, and made us to reflect his image. Despite our rebellion and ignorance to this love, God still pursued the world to make it whole in Jesus. You could say the universe, and our lives, are rooted in Cosmic Love.
These realities have endless implications. First, the world we inhabit is not random and is created for love, and By Love giving our lives purpose. If you're loved by the God of love, loved before time, and in time, there’s nothing to prove. We don’t have to find ultimate value and worth in what we do, who we are, or how high we climb the corporate ladder. This love is robust and stable and from the One who is love. We can live in this freedom. We can receive it as a gift.
This answers the Where Are We question?
Second, if we are loved, our response is love. This answers the Who Are We question? The God of all love loves us, and we respond by being people who love with this same unconditional love. The disciple of Jesus, John, says it this way:
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” -1 John 4:7
God so loved the world that he died to redeem it with no conditions. He didn’t see the world he made as trash, second rate, or a mistake because we mucked it up. God made it with love, and is redeeming it with love by his only Son. If we see this love extended to all his creatures, our right response is to love back. To emulate the character and nature of God, the One who is love.
Where are we? Who are we?
We are living in a world of love, and people who love. Grasp this even a little and everything will change.