Lenten Devotional - Friday, Mar. 19

Day 27 - Friday 

March 19

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars that you have established;

what are human beings that you are mindful of them,

    mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,

    and crowned them with glory and honor.

You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;

    you have put all things under their feet.  Psalm 8:3-6

This scripture provides an interesting contrast, first expressing wonder that the Creator of the universe is mindful of human beings, and then describing us as "a little lower than God...crowned with glory and honor." This contrast actually captures what is perhaps the central paradox of human existence. We are created in God's image, with the ability to think and plan and exercise our free will; we are given dominion over the rest of creation, and we are made for relationship with God and with the potential for eternal life. And yet… in our pride we have turned away and we have become our own gods; and on our own, apart from God, we are nothing. 

True humility is seeing ourselves as we really are - as deeply-loved image bearers of God.

To Do

Step outside tonight, or on the next clear night, and look at the heavens. Allow yourself to be humbled by God's creation, and then remember that God made you in God's image and loves you. Say a prayer of gratitude.