Does Life Have Meaning? - Tim Horman
Is there a point to it all?
That’s the question at the heart of this week’s message from Tim Horman, part two in our Questioning Christianity series. It’s a question that has echoed through human hearts for centuries: Does life have meaning? And if so, where does that meaning come from?
In this post, we’ll unpack some of Tim’s reflections on this huge question, explore how the Bible answers it, and offer practical ways to respond. You’ll also find questions for reflection and small group discussion at the end.
A Crisis of Meaning
Tim began by observing something many of us feel but rarely articulate: we are living in a time of cultural and spiritual confusion about meaning. The secular story tells us we must "create our own meaning" – but is that actually possible? Or sustainable?
Drawing on Scripture and philosophy, Tim laid out the two major worldviews:
The Materialist View – The universe exists by chance, with no purpose, no designer, and no ultimate meaning.
The Christian View – The universe is created by a personal, loving God who designed it – and us – for a purpose.
And then he asked the most important question: Which of these views actually makes sense of our lives and experience?
“If your meaning in life is grounded in anything in this world... then your meaning will not be able to handle suffering any more than a spider web will be able to stop a falling rock.” — Tim Horman
The Bible’s Response
The biblical vision stands in stark contrast to the "make your own meaning" story.
Passages like Psalm 19 and Romans 1 tell us that creation itself speaks of a Creator. And in 1 John 4, we’re reminded that God is love — a love that’s not abstract or distant, but one that entered the mess of our lives through Jesus.
John writes:
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." — 1 John 4:10
In other words, life has meaning — not because we conjure it up ourselves, but because we are loved. Deeply. Eternally.
Connecting to Our Lives
When Meaning Falls Apart
Tim shared that many people live as if meaning can be self-made — through career, relationships, experiences or achievements. But when life gets hard, when suffering comes, that kind of meaning proves fragile.
Tim powerfully explained how secularism offers little comfort in grief, little resilience in suffering, and no real hope beyond death. Christianity, on the other hand, offers something radical:
A God who doesn’t just “watch” suffering but enters into it with us.
A Saviour who suffered for us, who understands pain.
A love that endures beyond the grave, giving us hope and strength.
“We were never meant to carry the burden of making our own meaning. It’s a task too great to bear.” — Tim Horman
Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Story
A particularly moving part of Tim’s message was the story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former atheist and prominent critic of religion, who recently embraced Christianity.
She said:
“Life without any spiritual solace is unendurable… Atheism failed to answer a simple question: What is the meaning and purpose of life?”
Her journey, like many others, reveals that meaning isn’t found in autonomy, but in surrender — not to power, but to love.
So, does life have meaning?
According to the Christian faith, yes — and it’s found in God’s love.
You are not an accident.
You are not a product of random chance.
You are known, loved, and invited into a story bigger than yourself — one that gives meaning even in suffering and hope even in death.
“This is the meaning of life: to live through Him.” — Tim Horman
One Way to Live it Out this Week
This week, take a few minutes each day to pray this simple prayer:
“God, help me to see your love as the true source of meaning in my life. Teach me to trust you, especially when life feels hard or empty. Amen.”
Maybe even journal your reflections — where have you been looking for meaning lately? Where do you need God’s love to meet you?
Reflection & Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection Questions
Where do I typically look for meaning in my life? How secure or fragile is that source of meaning?
How have I experienced God’s love as something that gives my life significance?
What’s one area of my life where I need to stop striving for self-made meaning and rest in God’s love?
Small Group Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the message this week?
Why do you think so many people struggle to find meaning in life today?
How do the Christian and secular views of meaning differ — and which do you think holds up better in suffering?
Can you relate to Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s journey from striving to surrender?
How have you seen God bring meaning into your own suffering or someone else's?
What does it mean that God is love — not just loving, but love itself?
How can we support each other to find our meaning in Christ rather than in what we do or achieve?
How can we pray for one another to experience deeper meaning and peace this week?