Faint Tracks of Glory
Scripture Reading — Psalm 8
What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:4
In this psalm the glory of God and the glory of humanity are folded together like the fingers of two hands. And yet it seems like a mismatch. What is our fragile existence compared to the majesty of God? Yet Psalm 8 links the wonder of human existence with divine splendor. God is pleased to fold his glories into ours to create a unique and wonderful fellowship.
Recently I saw a photo taken by the Global Surveyor orbiting 230 miles above Mars. The orbiter zoomed in on NASA’s Rover where it plodded across a rusty red desert to explore a crater. Mars’ surface appeared chaotic—but there in the dust were tiny tracks showing the human design of the Rover!
The psalmist tells us that God is mindful of our human tracks, as faint as they may seem in the universe. Between the abyss of outer space and the quanta of subatomic particles are the personal prints of life made in God’s image. Heaven zooms in on this track, for it holds the promise of a glorious communion. No matter how plain your life may seem, your Creator wants to weave his handwork into yours.
Next time you lock eyes with a stranger, remember how valuable that person is to God. What sort of trouble has she tracked through? What kind of party would heaven throw for him if he was heading home?
Dear Creator, thanks for zooming in on us. Make us mindful of others who cross our tracks, and provide opportunities for us to hear their stories. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Norm Prenger
Rev. Norm Prenger is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Alberta and British Columbia before he was disabled by a heart attack and a post-operative stroke. He now lives with his wife, Gwen, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. He enjoys fishing, writing, drumming, and encouraging his fishing partners and neighbors to follow Jesus.
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