As we head into the New Year this cold, cold, cold (did I mention it is cold here in St. Louis?) Sunday morning, I find myself yearning for spring and pondering two of the (many) great mysteries of life: First, why are we so gifted with the beauty, bounty and intricacy of the world around us? And second, in the midst of all this signal of God’s glory—small and hidden as we are as minuscule beings in the vastness of the earth and universe—who are we that God is mindful of us?
That is the question (and answer) of Psalm 8, and today I offer this retelling. I wish you all the very best for the coming year and offer my hope and prayer that you (and I) will continue to grow in the gift that is our awareness of God’s presence in our world and lives.
Psalm 8 for the New Year
All we have to do is look around and really pay attention to what we see. It’s all so easy to miss when we don’t stop and look deeply. But, then, in the quiet of an early morning walk or a summer night beneath a sea of stars and planets, in the invisible presence of all things ever created or changed under your wisdom and guidance, your glory and your name explode before our very eyes.
And we cannot help but sing. We sing as a baby sings, the proper words not formable in our mouths and yet clamoring to escape in bursts of praise. For words don’t matter when we see the works of your hands and fingers, the moon and stars set in place, when we are at least aware of the microscopic life that surrounds and sustains us, the earth and its creatures professing your glory far better than any words we can string together in a sentence, a poem, a song.
Indeed, who are we that you are even aware of us, small and insignificant as we are? Who are we that you care for us, making us “Elohim,” little less than gods, angel-creatures of your heart, crowning us with life and consciousness of you, gifts beyond comprehension and measure?
You have given us the obligation and right to oversee and embrace all you have created and, yet, your call is always to love, not to merely rule and use. The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the rivers and seas all point us to you, the creative and creating giver of all life.
All we have to do is look around and really pay attention to what we see.
And so we sing. How can we help but sing? How can we keep from singing?
Truly seeing, listening with the heart can help overcome the greatest of griefs. Thanks for your reminder, Steve. Blessed New Year to you and family.
Thank you so much. We always seem to need these reminders, and this is a good day for that, as we head into a new year. God bless you always!
Hi Steve,
A Blessed and beautiful New Year to you and your lovely family.
Truly, everything around us speaks volumes of our God and Creator if we but step away a little from our busyness and self-centredness.
And indeed, who are we that He is to mindful of us?
It is easy to see God in the wonder and beauty of His Creation though much less so in the ugliness, the turmoil, the suffering in the world. Yet God is there, whether we see Him or not. And that must be our Anchor of hope, that God loves us unconditionally. That too is the answer to the second question. He made us and cares for us because He loves all His Creation.
Thank you I love your writings
Thanks, Jan! Here’s to a great 2018!
Thanks, Lily. Here’s to a blessed and creative New Year! Keep singing!
Thanks, Peter. All the best to you. Sue and I are starting to think about a visit to the old country this summer. Perhaps we can meet up for a lunch…How far are you from, say, Eton? (Actually Chalfont St. Peter…)
Thanks, Judy. Here’s to another great year…
Thanks, Jan. It can indeed be a tough time, and yet filled with God’s presence.
Your words are powerful. They remind me of what Teilhard de Chardiin means when he encourages us to see the within and the without.
Thanks, Miriam. Look forward to seeing you and the group on Saturday.