Psalm 8:5-6
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: Psalm 8:5-6 (NIV)
I made a new friend, Lionel. I met him in the neurosurgeon’s waiting room where we found ourselves surrounded by people in pain, one even crying out in desperation. As my husband was in with the doctor, Lionel and I looked at each other and our eyes both said, “How I wish I could take away their pain.” A beautiful conversation ensued.
We found solace in visiting with each other. I felt like I’d known him for years. He had worked as a quality control manager at a manufacturing plant, making a great salary until he was injured. He now works at Popeye’s and has to receive injections to get through his shifts. But, after hearing the rest of his faith-filled story, it’s clear that God is working through him in amazing ways. He plants seeds of wisdom with the younger employees. He truly cares about each and every customer and strikes up conversations.
As we shared our faith with each other, he told me about his best friend who is a transgender woman. Lionel has learned so much from her and while he admittedly still struggles with the topic of gender identity, he has opened his heart and even attends events in support of his friend. We talked about our respective churches and how he volunteers every Sunday. As a Black man, he talked about how racism has affected him. Yet, nothing keeps him from sharing his gratitude and keeping Christ in the center of his life while still taking action for things that matter. Two more patients walked in and Lionel quickly included them. We covered the topics of air fryers, music and puppies. It didn’t make people’s back pain go away, but the power of community was on display.
Today’s Psalm is all about God creating and ordering the cosmos. God gave us humans a huge responsibility, choosing us to rule over the earth. Just when I wonder if we’re not living up to God’s expectations, a Lionel comes along to restore my faith in humanity.
Question for Reflection:
- How would our world be if there were more Lionel’s in it?
Prayer
Loving God, You reign over all and yet you trust us to rule over all the earth. Help us to live in authentic community with one another, despite differences. Amen.
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