So, Who Do You Think You Are?

Yesterday, our church celebrated its annual church picnic. Since where our church located has an average afternoon temperature of over 110 degrees this time of year, we have the picnic in a park that is about an hour away. This park is located in the mountains at about 6,400 feet, where it is about 30-40 degrees cooler. In addition, the park is nestled amongst pine trees and has an amazing view of the surrounding area.

As we approached the park, I began looking around at the amazing scenery that stretched for miles and miles. I found myself wondering "So, who do you think you are? Compared to the size and scope of this world and its beauty, how do you think you stack up?"

Have you ever been there? Have you ever been in a place in your life where you found yourself asking two fundamental questions: "Who am I?" and "Do I matter?" The first question deals with our identity, while the second question deals with our significance and importance. Maybe today you find yourself struggling with the answers to these questions.

These questions are not new questions. Almost 2,800 years earlier, a man wrote down his thoughts for us as he wrestled with these questions and the answers that he discovered. Fortunately, we have his search preserved for us in the pages of the Bible:

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:3-9

This section of the Bible reveals for us the reality that humanity has a unique role and is of incredible value and worth in God's sight. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was created for a relationship with God. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was given the role to be God's representative here on earth. Humanity was charged to steward, or manage the rest of God's creation, while reflecting God's character in the process.

And while there are times that we as humans totally fail to represent God, reflect His character, or manage His creation, the reality is that we God has given us a unique role and a unique privilege in the world we live in. And with great privilege comes great responsibility.

So how are you handling the responsibility that comes with the great and unique place you occupy in the universe? How are you responding to the reality that God has created you for a relationship with Him and to represent Him on this earth?

So who do you think you are? And how are you living in light of who you are?