November 30 – To Know Your Place

November 30 – To Know Your Place

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Imagine my surprise over the last few years when one of the most basic things I absolutely knew was upended.  I grew up knowing there were five senses: touch, sight, taste, scent, and hearing.  That was it. The knowledge was firm and solid.  Then, I began reading about and hearing about other senses.

Our bodies react to things like temperature, time, and pain. But, one that many point to as a sixth sense is our equilibrium and balance.  This system in our inner ear allows us to sense our body’s movement, the direction we go and the rate of speed at which we are moving. The kinesthetic sense that tells us where our body is, so we can touch our own nose with the tip of a finger, even if our eyes are closed, is also part of this.  These two things help us know our place in the universe.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet … (Psalm 8:3-6).

We can sense our place, but sometimes we forget who we are.  We are more than flesh and blood. We are more than our five (or however many) senses. We are more than the things we do and experience.  We are unique as a creation of God.  And it is Him who resides within us that gives us our identity.

“But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding." (Job 32:8)

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)

We are made up of particles from the universe around us, as common as dirt, but to the Lord of all Creation, to the ruler of the universe, we are everything!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

“…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Revelation 1:5)

When you stand up today and retain your balance, when you shut your eyes and touch your nose with the tip of your finger, when you see a sunset or hear a beautiful song, when you taste holiday goodies or smell cookies baking; you have been given an extraordinary gift. You have been given life by the Creator.

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Your place … your time in the world is now.  You have been created and are loved by God Almighty.