Who Am I …featured

My husband, Ron, declared that the name of this painting was “Firmament.”  I had couple of other names in mind, but Ron was adamant that its name was “Firmament,” so “Firmament” it is!  The Bible verse that kept running through my head while painting was Psalm 8: 3-4:

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set into place, What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him.”

Although there is no question mark at the end of this sentence, this is clearly a question that has puzzled the generations.  It seems like the God of the universe would be way too busy to be concerned with what is going on with me.

I am fascinated by the pictures that have come back from the Hubble telescope as it has traveled into deep space.  The images are profoundly beautiful and awe inspiring. The size and scope and majesty of God’s creation is beyond what my brain can process.  And is certainly beyond what my painting can portray!

So, against this backdrop of unimaginable magnitude, let’s think about you and me.  On my painting we would be undiscernibly tiny and even more so in the true vastness of space.  The thing that boggles my brain is that God who is busy managing the universe, knows each of us intimately and desires to have a deep and personal relationship with each of us.   In Matthew 10: 30, Jesus speaks to His intimate knowledge of us, “And even the hairs of your head are numbered.”  Isaiah 43:1b says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  He claims each one of us personally and is deeply interested in everything about us!

How does He do this?  How does He keep everyone straight?   How can He give His undivided attention to me (and you!) when there are billions of people clamoring for His attention all of the time?   He has to have some off-the-chart brain capacity and time management skills!  When I have several grandkids with me, often all of them want to tell me something at the same time.  I am totally incapable of giving my individual, undivided attention to all of them at the same time.  I have to focus on one, and then another….  And even though I love them with all my heart, I have no idea how many hairs are on their heads.  Clearly, I am not God!

All of this pondering leads me to acknowledge the mystery of our God whose power and love are so far beyond our comprehension.  This moves me to awe, wonder and profound gratitude!

God, who am I that You are mindful of me?  I can’t comprehend the scope of Your love for me, but I am so deeply thankful for it.  I pray that today, through the power of the Holy Spirit, my gratitude will permeate all aspects of my life.  Amen.

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