What is man??? (Psalm 8) 250108
In this postmodern world, people are seeking an answer for their identity. People are asking, who are they? They are not merely seeking for an identity, but a purpose for existence. Some people turn to career pursue, some turn to religions, and some turn to anything and everything. If we simply take a good look at this world, it is not difficult for us to be amazed or even amused by the wonders and the splendor of the creation (v1).
Different people have different ideas about how this wonderful creation came about. Some believe that this come about by chance, some don’t even bother to ask about its origin and some simply conclude that there must be Someone who had created all these; intentionally and also intelligently created the heavens, the moon, the stars and everything else, including man (v3).
What is man (v4)? Who am I? This is the question which I have been constantly asking. Unless I know my true identity and purpose here on earth, I will be in constant search in uncertainty. I may not have the complete answer for this profound question, but I am confident that I am in the process of getting my vision and understanding of myself more and more each day in the right direction.
Who am I? A postmodern philosopher says that "I think, therefore I am!" This is may be true to a certain extent, but what I think may not be what I am. If the "I" is not a constant and unchangeable entity, whatever I think will be subjected to changes, and how can I be sure of who I am? Furthermore, how I am going to think depends on who I am.
This Psalm tells me and reminds me that I am made by God and a little lower than Him (v5)! If God is the Creator of the entire creation (including the entire universe), and I am only a little lower than Him; what a privilege God has given me. God gives all that He had created to man to rule and have dominion over them (v6-8). Yes, literally all! What a privilege!
What can I do? I can only return to God praises and thanks giving. Now I know who I am. My new motto for this year comes in two parts. Firstly, it’s not about me. It’s about God and His will in my life. All that I am and I do is because of God and is about God, I have to simply learn to submit. More of God, less of me. Secondly, God is, therefore I am. My identity and my worthy and my purpose can only be found in God. Not what I think of myself, or even what other thinks of me, but who God is, therefore I am.
As I say earlier on, I may not be able to live out this truth complete yet, but I am in the right direction. How about you? Do you know who you are? Who is God in your life? May you also find the truth about yourself.
HHS…
Abel…
