Before I began to pastor churches, I was a member of the Shaftsbury United Methodist Church. I was a husband, a dad, a plumber, and a firefighter.  I often visited a man I knew from the community that became a friend as our relationship grew at Church. Junior was a World War II veteran who later went to work for the Fish and Game Department in VT.  He limped his way through forest fires, over mountain trails, and around lakes and ponds across southern VT.  The wounds he received in Okinawa affected his life but never defined him. I always admired him for this because many times my titles did get in the way and they became the way I defined myself.

One afternoon Junior shared one of the greatest reasons he loved the outdoors. He pointed out that when he was up on a mountainside working, hunting, or hiking he saw life differently. He commented on the amazing views he had seen and the feeling of awe that came with looking out into the world. Then with a grin he explained his amazement at God’s creation. As well as the joy he felt when he remembered that he was a child of God. This is the same contrast we find in Psalm 8. The writer celebrates God’s majesty in all the earth, he celebrates the stars and moon which hang so perfectly in the sky. Then the psalmist wonders and celebrates Gods desire to crown many with glory, make men and woman a little lower than angels, and let them rule over the earth.

What about you? As the week comes to an end, take a few minutes and reflect on who you are.  Are you defined by the titles you have, or the friends you have made?  Have you realized that God sees you as a child and given you the ability to reason and talents to share in order to make this world all it can be?

Enjoy your weekend and I hope you are able to take time and remember who you are!