There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Douglas Adams
English humorist & science fiction novelist (1952 - 2001)

OK, maybe Mr. Adams was a little cynical but aren't there times when we find the world and our place in it almost inexplicable.  Just when we think that we've finally got a handle on life or a plan for the future, the bottom drops out of the economy, or a loved one gets ill, or you just oversleep and miss an important meeting.  "Why can't things just go the way I need them to?"

A lot of people will look at these weird, random events and annoyances and conclude that there isn't a God in control or, if there is, he simply is unconcerned about what is going on.  In Douglas Adams book "So Long and Thanks for all the Fish", his heroes travel the universe to find God's last message to humanity.  When they find it, emblazoned in flaming letters a mile high, it reads, "We apologize for the inconvenience".  Is this what life is?  Is it an inconvenience that we'd really rather avoid but are forced to endure?

Jesus, when talking to his disciples about his purpose among us, said

So what is this abundant life?  Is it about getting everything we want, when we want it?  No, it's about having Jesus be the shepherd of our lives.  It means living out our life under the watchful care of a God who created us and knows us.  And what is more, it's about a God who knows what is best for us.  It is about what philosopher John Hicks calls "soul making".

We are designed to dwell with God and participate in his plan for all of creation.  But sin has marred our souls, making it difficult to understand him and, in fact, turning our interests and concerns away from him.  When God comes into our lives and we place ourselves into his care, he begins to heal our souls.  We are led through times of relying on him in order that we will learn to trust his judgment and not our own.  In the process our souls are made, improved, refined as by fire and we begin a move toward who we will be in the full presence of God.

Is life, the universe, and everything absurd?  Sometimes.  Because of the sin in our lives we think we know how the universe should be and know we aren't there and it makes us laugh.  And sometimes it makes us want to laugh until we cry.  But our Father in heaven sees this and knows that through our laughter and tears what we are truly wanting and needing is to be more transformed into his likeness so that we begin living the abundant life in the world as he designed it to be.