I recently read an article along the lines of “7 Things Science Still Can’t Explain”. Several of the items were interesting. We know more about space than our own ocean; there is a spot on earth were you can stand and all sound disappears. One item in the list stopped me: science still can’t explain human consciousness.

Today, I returned from a funeral for Rev. Billie Christensen. 97 years old, married for 72 years, 2 children, 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. He pastored numerous churches, preached many a sermon, served in the navy in WWII, and was as close to a modern-day saint as any anyone has seen.

I began to think about that article after the funeral. It is the great paradox that has plagued humanity as long as their have been philosophers. The modern Zeitgeist would have you believe that man is an accident of an impersonal cosmic force aeons in the past, yet the same modern attitude mandates the uniqueness of humaniy and desires to protect it in its various expressions, opinions, etc. That is an irreconcilable philosophy. Meaningless existence and meaningful existentialism cannot exist as equals within philosophical thought. Either we are a product of chance, environment, and apersonal circumstances; from, of, and by nothingness and destined thereto, or human existence, consciousness, and experience is something unique, worthy, and even sacred.

As a Christ follower, I believe all people, Christian or not, are unique, dignified, and special beings. I do say Christ follower, a true student and adherent of the Christian Scriptures because people have greatly confused what the Holy Bible actually says about human worth. Allow me to set the record straight with a series of verses straight from the Scriptures, and then conclude with the worldview/philosophy I have held to.

“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.”

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”

“Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;”

“but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Jesus, getting ready to raise Lazarus from the dead, cried at the funeral. Why? Because human life is a sacred, special thing. You, I, and everyone is a unique, special, scared, and important being. Whether or not you or anyone else recognizes your humanity and sacred human existence is immaterial, you have intrinsic, infinite value.

And despite the Zeitgeist, and philosophers, and nihilist banter, they would be as quick to defend human rights and dignity. Why? It is because deep down we all recognize one fundamental, inescapable, and beautiful truth: we have value and it is dependent on no external circumstance, experience, expression, or approval. It. Just. Is.

Do we all agree? No. Some folks tuned out the moment I even mentioned Christian Scriptures. But regardless of your race, religion, politics, economic situation, ancestry, life choices, or any other factor you are special. We cannot continue propagating a fatalistic, serendipitous, existentialism, while living in an era teeming with the exaltation of human consciousness and expression.

Rev. Christensen, and his life, and his legacy mattered. Whatever I may do, or have done matters. Whatever you do or may have done matters. Be the best you. Shine. Love your fellow, special humans. Be patient. Be peaceable. Be compassionate. Be interested.

I believe you were created, as everyone  was, is, and will be, for a unique purpose. Placed in history at a precise time. Find it. Embrace it. I believe you are loved by a creating, thinking, feeling God.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”