If this earthly existence is all there is,
Why even bother?
After all that winning and grinning,
Don’t you eventually lose?
Does the butterfly remember
It was once a measly caterpillar?
And if it does—why would it care?
It’s too busy fluttering everywhere.
So goes mankind into the eternal.
Spanish Translation:
Transformación, Nueva Era, Nacido de Nuevo
Si esta existencia terrenal es todo lo que hay,
¿Por qué molestarse?
Después de tanto ganar y sonreír,
¿No terminamos perdiendo al final?
¿Recuerda la mariposa
que alguna vez fue una miserable oruga?
Y si lo recuerda—¿realmente le importa?
Está demasiado ocupada revoloteando por ahí.
Así va la humanidad hacia lo eterno.
Por: ElRoyPoet © 2024
If Life Has No Meaning, Why Live? | Albert Camus & The Absurd Man
What is the purpose of man?
What’s the reason for being born on this earth? Christians believe that they were in Heaven before they were born and that they will return upon death. Did we come from the spiritual to the physical just to return to the spiritual? All believers know that for the spirit to live, the flesh must die! Wouldn’t it have been much easier to have stayed in Heaven with our Creator and Savior than to live in jeopardy of losing our souls in this wicked world?
Do you believe that we came to this earth to be tested? Do overcoming daily temptations and doing good deeds prove that we are faithful and worthy to return? “What does it profit, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). Is all that is needed to profess that we accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ to live in Heaven forever? “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Do you have somebody to love? Are you trying to be lovable? I know this can be difficult, especially for young adults who still haven’t found someone, or for mature adults who never became parents. But there is still time! “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).
I believe we were born on this earth to receive a human body. Inside the body is a human heart that has the capacity to love. “The Only Begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (1 John 4:9). I believe that the true test of our earthly existence is whether we will choose to love. I also believe that the reason Jesus came to earth to become our Savior is to show us how to love, for when we love somebody, we give of our physical selves.
Spiritual beings are incapable of expressing affection for someone because they are unable to give of themselves. That is the point of why we had to be born of earthly parents—to receive a human heart—and now all we must do is find somebody to love. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
“For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My Word that proceeds from My Mouth will not return to Me void, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Does God Exist?
When I read the Bible, it testifies that only Jesus can save a fallen man like me. Even though I do not fully understand the Gospel, my belief is based on my faith that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.
So the only variable in my testimony is the degree to which I acknowledge that I have sinned and need atonement. However, this is flawed logic because humans are incapable of quantifying how good or depraved they are.
Either the Bible is true, or it is not. I need to be saved, or I do not. It is not possible to be saved a little or too much, because any amount of sin on my part necessitates intervention by A Savior. At the end of the day, the only question I need to answer is whether I am a sinner or if I am still living in denial.
Poem Analysis:
The poem presented reflects a profound contemplation of existence, transformation, and the fleeting nature of life. It grapples with existential questions, such as the meaning behind our struggles and achievements, and the transformation individuals undergo throughout their journeys. In examining the poem, it becomes evident that it draws parallels to several biblical themes and teachings, particularly those pertaining to the nature of life, the inevitability of change, and the search for meaning in the midst of transient circumstances.
The Search for Meaning
The opening lines of the poem question the purpose of life: “If this earthly existence is all there is, Why even bother?” This sentiment aligns closely with the book of Ecclesiastes, which famously opens with the declaration that “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The author of Ecclesiastes, traditionally identified as King Solomon, explores the meaning of life and concludes that many pursuits ultimately lack lasting significance. The poem similarly raises doubts about the value of worldly achievements, echoing the biblical view that earthly pursuits are transient and often lead to despair when one recognizes their impermanence.
Transformation and Renewal
The middle stanzas of the poem introduce the metaphor of the butterfly, prompting reflection on transformation: “Does the butterfly remember / It was once a measly caterpillar?” This image closely relates to the biblical theme of renewal and resurrection. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”. Just as the caterpillar undergoes a metamorphosis into something beautiful and free, individuals can experience profound transformation through faith and spiritual renewal. The poem acknowledges this change, asking whether the butterfly remembers its past existence, suggesting that acknowledgment of one’s earlier struggles may be overshadowed by the joy of newfound freedom.
The Indifference of Life
The question posed by the poem—“And if it does—why would it care?”—speaks to a sense of detachment that can accompany transformation. This detachment can be likened to the idea expressed in Matthew 6:25-27, where Jesus teaches about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of focusing on spiritual over material concerns. Jesus asks, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” This call to prioritize spiritual matters resonates with the poem’s exploration of deeper questions about existence. This detachment may manifest as a preoccupation with a new, purpose-driven life, as expressed in the line, “It’s too busy fluttering everywhere.”
Embracing the Eternal
Finally, the poem concludes with the phrase, “So goes mankind into the eternal.” This line encapsulates a fundamental biblical theme: the notion of eternity and the divine journey that lies beyond earthly existence. In Philippians 3:20, Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. Here, the poem reflects the belief that while earthly life is fleeting, there is a greater, eternal existence that transcends our temporal struggles. The acknowledgment of the “eternal” provides a sense of hope and purpose, suggesting that even if earthly existence feels vain at times, there is a divine promise of renewal and fulfillment.
In conclusion, the poem serves as a poignant reflection on existence, and the search for meaning within the complexities of life. By intertwining biblical insights, it deepens the exploration of these themes, highlighting the transient nature of earthly pursuits while emphasizing the transformation available through the power of faith and the embrace of eternal life. Through metaphors of transformation and questions about significance, the poem resonates with the profound messages found in scripture, encouraging readers to seek deeper meaning in their journey.
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