The Majestic Uniqueness of Human Life

By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.

Humans exceed all other life on earth in their capacity to communicate, think, worship, use their hands with longer opposing thumbs to work efficiently, control fire, wear clothing, and be the only kind of life that blushes, which, by the way, threw Darwin for a loop. This is no surprise to God or the Bible. Read Psalm 8 or even Genesis 1 and 2 and wonder at God’s creation, and at who was created in His own image.

The superiority of human life to animal life, which is, according to God’s direction, to be governed and managed well by humans, is thoroughly taught in Scripture. But the thinking observer of creation can easily see this in considering what is before your eyes and how it all works.

A year ago, last October, our first great-grandson was born. It was a pleasant surprise to me. We are still in awe as life marches inevitably on. We will most likely not see him graduate from high school, or get married, and have his own children. Life moves forward, no matter if we are here or not.

We live, and then our progeny lives after us. We probably never personally know our great, great grandparents, nor our great, great-grandchildren. Such is a joy reserved for heaven.

A generation or two are a drop in the ocean in terms of human history. But that is all we have in this first life; that is, an opportunity for salvation and your eligibility for eternal life. The years fly by, and this first-life-time of ours is quickly gone.

Such is meaningless, as Ecclesiastes proposes, except for the One who makes it meaningful. Apart from Him, we might as well exist in irrationality, for it is all seemingly without any rational thought. But Jesus makes things real and genuine. Without Him, none of it makes sense.

Being born from nothing, living a few years, and passing back into nothingness surpasses craziness. But this universe is not based on “crazy.” There is great meaning, purpose, and design in the universe, including the birth of each and every human being.

The declarative creation exhibits itself in its expanding, vastly infinite cosmos, just as well as in the minutest cell’s working complexity. It very truly exhibits a grand design.

Nothing that exists is without meaning, purpose, and beauty. His handprint is everywhere. You cannot observe creation and fail to think of the God who is and who made it all.

This life is plenty enough, if you take it seriously, to come to grips with why you are here, to observe this earthly home, know who created it, and act upon it. You must make the most of the time gifted to you. For you do not pass this way again in the very same way. As Wisdom has said, “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better than to eat and drink and be joyful through all the days of his life God has given him under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15) 

Eligibility for eternity lies within these first-time days and years. An available, compelling source of revelation and truth can communicate to you what the only means of your eligibility is. In fact, it tells you of much more than mere eligibility. The Bible tells you you might have a certain confidence and assurance of attaining life in eternity. Namely, by coming to actually possess genuine faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is your only way to God the Father. (John 14:6) 

Life beyond death and grave is fully known and experienced once you are found by the “hound of heaven,” and brought into God’s family. His gracious providence is the be all and the end all of everything.

Be absolutely certain, then, that He finds you in this life, when you can be found. God’s providence governs all that is, and it is He who finds lost souls, and it is He who brings you home.

Human life continues unabated until God closes the door with the dramatic return of His Son. A trumpet blast sounds throughout the earth, bringing the course of human history to a close. It is finished! God began history, and He ends it.

It is somewhat difficult for you to consider what is out of your experience, things not a part of your time, but it is a fact, “God has put eternity in the heart of man.” In other words, we do not truly think of ourselves as passing forever from the realm of existence. Some may say they do, but they are not being honest with their deepest instincts.

You did not experience the beginning, but you may experience the end. It is not wise to think you never will. You are wise to prepare yourself for that possibility. In any case, prepare yourself for your death and for the eternal life that follows. Eternal lostness is unthinkable! Eternal life in God’s family is far better than you can imagine!

Encouragement