Serve in Your Sweet Spot! Ephesians 2:1-10; 4:1-16

An ancient Jewish philosopher-theologian had come to the conclusion long before Albert Camus that if this world and this life is all there is, we, who claim to think otherwise, are above all people most to be pitied for our wishful thinking.

The idea of an afterlife, let alone the actual physical resurrection of our bodies one day, is all a figment of our imaginations and simply a coping mechanism for getting through a meaningless, purposeless life. If this is all there is, if the dead are not raised, then we truly are just sucking air and taking up space, trying to get ahead all for nothing. In the end we all die and that will be the happy end of our meaninglessness. What’s the point? We might as well end our misery now! Or, as many have concluded, “Why should I give a rip about anyone else? I might as well grab everything I can get for myself and gratify the desires of my flesh before my miserable life comes to its miserable end! So screw you! Since there is nothing more to life, then it must be and I will make it all about me!

Sadly, this is the logical end to a life without God—an origin, an intentional creator who gives meaning and purpose to his creation.

The Human Story, which is the theme of the Bible, contains a remarkable plot. It’s about a created world, animated by living creatures, some of which bear the image of their creator. God intends for them to care for his creation as they walk through a purposeful life with him. He entered creation himself at a point to reveal himself more clearly and to deal with the self-centered rebellion of his human creatures. He woos them to himself with love  and redeems them from their waywardness all along the way, giving them the capacity to give of themselves to each other in meaningful service while they wait for him to restore and renew all creation and come to live with them in it.

While we wait for the New Creation, we have the unique opportunity among all God’s creatures to actually partner with him in this renewal and restoration process on earth. He saves us from ourselves—from our hopelessness, despair and self-centeredness and gives us gifts and abilities to be put to good use, serving and helping others and doing good in our world.

Check out this ancient Jewish philosopher-theologian’s conclusions about life in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15 and Ephesians 2:1-10; 4:1-16. His conclusion of it all it this: Since we actually do have hope, let’s get to work! Let’s busy ourselves with the meaningful, purposeful work our Creator has given us to do as we partner with him to restore our world to the goodness he pronounced on it at creation! Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!