Made for Glory

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. – Psalm 8:3-5 (NRSV)

However you’re feeling today—hopeful or despairing, powerless or inspired, lonely or madly in love—there’s something the psalmist wants you to know.

Whatever you’re doing today—marching for an end to gun violence, taking your kids to soccer practice, working a second job to make ends meet, or doing laundry and cleaning house—there’s something I want you to know.

You were made for glory.

You and your neighbor, you and the garbage collector, you and the NRA member who lives next door, you and every single one of us: made for glory.

I realize this may sound preposterous, especially if you, like me, sometimes wonder what is wrong with people. Even if you agree with the theology, it may feel, well, un-Christian to claim such a magnificent provenance. Some members of my church were so uncomfortable with “Made for Glory” as a Lenten theme that I mostly used “made for good” instead.

True, we’ve all fallen short of the glory of God—but that doesn’t mean we’re not made for it.

However you’re feeling and whatever you’re doing, may this be the day you begin to claim your glorious, God-given identity.

Prayer
Especially when I’m doubting my worth, remind me that you have crowned me with love, honor, and glory.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, of Amherst, Massachusetts.