In last week’s sermon, we looked at how God has placed us, his representations, into his creation. A psalm which puts the wonder and poetry into this is Psalm 8. It begins with praise to God for his majesty – Oh LORD our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
The psalmist describes creation as the work of God’s fingers, and marvels in awe in response – what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honour.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority…
This is the perfect attitude to take when we reflect on our role in creation! It recognises that, being made in his image, God has given all humanity special honour and glory – not because we ourselves inspire this or earn it – but as a gift of utter grace. We also have special responsibility and the authority to carry it out. All the rest of creation is in our care – again not because we have special talents or have proven our leadership – but simply because it has been given to us by God himself.
God’s view of humanity in creation speaks sharply both to those who would say there is nothing special about humans except their ability to mess things up and to those who believe humanity has the right to treat the world however they wish for their own advantage.
When you stop to reflect on who we are as part of creation, how do you find yourself responding?
With love,
Miranda : )