Caryn Rivadeneira 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the word of God. I'm Caryn Rivadeneira and I serve as Director of Care and Worship Planning. This week's question is: Is there more to life than this? I'll be reading Psalm 8, verses 3 through 4.
Caryn Rivadeneira 0:21
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers. The moon and the stars which you have set in place. What is humankind, that you're mindful of them? Human beings, that you care for them?
Caryn Rivadeneira 0:34
This week's Alpha question - Is there more to life than this? - has been asked by humans since the dawn of time. It's a question that's essentially the theme and an entire book of the Bible (the amazing book of Ecclesiastes). It's also a question at the heart of so many Bible stories and passages, including today's. After all, as David looks up at the skies and wonders about the God who created them, his mind quickly turns from God, to humanity. Who are we, that the creator of this universe (and remember, David had no concept of how vast those heavens were), who are we that God pays attention to us? It's a good question. And like all good questions, it's one that can help lead to an answer for other questions - again, including today's.
Caryn Rivadeneira 1:25
If we conclude that we are beloved by God and that is why God is mindful of and caring toward us, we get a better perspective on what life is all about. Even in our most uncertain, wandering and wondering times, when we aren't sure of who we are or what we're supposed to do, we know two things: we are loved by God and we are to love God and others. Resting secure in these two truths gives us all purpose, even as we wait for specifics. It gives us a, "yes, there is more to life than daily tasks, frustrations, sorrow, boredom, or whatever you're experiencing.
Caryn Rivadeneira 2:10
If you are in a waiting place, if you're wondering if there's more to life, if you're wrestling with a lack of purpose or feeling undervalued, know this: God loves you unconditionally, unabashedly, and unashamedly. And our call is to love God and others the same way.