There are many things to worry about in life. The worrying does absolutely no good. Regardless, we all have our various worries or perhaps better expressed, concerns. Sometimes our concerns have a way of sapping our enthusiasm for living or clouding our sense of wonder and thanksgiving for life in general.
The award winning singer and song writer Carole King and her then-husband, Gerry Goffin expressed such concerns with this phrase, “When this old world starts a-getting me down.” Their uplifting word was that in such times they found special comfort and renewal of spirit by getting “Up On the Roof.” They confessed that their perspective was restored on such a high place.
Along with millions of others I have always liked that song. I keep it active on my playlist.
There is also a very ancient song that has renewed, refreshed, and uplifted people in countless times and circumstances. It doesn’t have a title. Just a number. It is Psalm 139.
I think that when we find ourselves in a place not particularly – or in anyway – rewarding, the lyrics of this ancient song can be read, spoken, or sung. We can add our own melody! We can sing, read, or say this song up on a roof, in a basement, or lying in bed at 3 am with too much on one’s mind to sleep. Anywhere and anytime at all. Indeed, when one is not feeling affirming of oneself or situation there are these essential thoughts.
YOU CREATED MY INMOST BEING, YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB. I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.
Psalm 139:13-14
It is essential to having life in abundance that no matter what and no matter when that each of us know, believe, and trust that we are fearfully wonderfully made.” There are all kinds of ways to affirm this truth.
One of Cleveland’s great gifts to the world is Dr. Julian Earls. A radiation physicist, former award-winning Director of NASA – Glenn, community leader as well as enricher in so many fields of endeavor, mentor to hundreds of young people, and nationally recognized lecturer, Julian Earls is a man whose personal story and knowledge inspires. Julian Earls’ affirmation through his daily living and extraordinary accomplishments illustrate in a most compelling way the ancient hymn that we are wonderfully made. He puts you on top of the world so to speak, even if you have no access to a roof or when you have no business getting up there anymore anyway.
As a part of many of his lectures, Julian Earls describes the wonderfully made aspect of our lives. As a privileged listener on more than several occasions to his presentations, I have asked my treasured friend if I might quote him. As a contemporary Psalm singer, he speaks of our wonderfully made selves this way.
The Human Being
The human being is a complete self-contained, totally enclosed power plant…available in a variety of sizes and colors and reproducible in quantity.
Human beings are relatively long-lived, have major components in duplicate and science is rapidly making strides towards solving the spare parts problem.
Humans are waterproof, amphibious, operate on a wide variety of fuels, enjoy thermostatically controlled temperatures, circulating fluid heat, have evaporative cooling, sealed, and lubricated bearings, audio and optional direction and range finders, sound and sight recordings, audio and visual communications and are equipped with an automatic control center called a brain.
Dr. Julian Earls
Indeed, we are wonderfully made. We are not accidents. And no matter how many examples we may be able to find of “automatic control centers called a brain” that seem to be missing completely or possessing an enormously flawed essential character part, the wonder of we humans is a gift that truly keeps on giving – even when, and perhaps especially when, this old world has a way of getting us down.
It is always the season of Thanksgiving and figuratively at least, a reason to be up on the roof.