Description
The first two passages this week encourage us to reflect on how intimately and profoundly we are known by God. The image of a potter with their hands in the clay in Jeremiah, and the words of the Psalmist, encourage us to remember that we are lovingly and wonderfully made. The third and fourth passages, Paul (Philemon 1-21) and Luke (Luke 14:25-33), encourage us to remember that we have agency to make choices – to count the cost, to make the plans, and to continue to do the work – as we live out our lives of faith.
The focus, though, of this resource is Psalm 139 – a psalm that explores how thoroughly God knows all of us. Psalm 139 affirms that God knows all about us, inside and out, everything we think or feel or do or say or experience, everywhere we go, everything that happens to us – all of this is known by God.
The writer of the Psalm is blown away by this – so no wonder all the “Wow” at how God knows and loves us gets turned into a psalm, a poem, a song. Whilst we don’t know the tune to sing Psalm 139 to, this resource focuses on kind of summary song – “Jesus Knows All About Me” – that we do have the music to.
The verses from Psalm 139 are full of wonderful imagery of God knowing us – our movements, our thoughts, our activities, our rest, and our speech – and of God surrounding us, being with us. Instead of just hearing these words, let’s invite people to be inspired by these verses and craft something physical to represent or symbolise the psalm. Using imagery, either word-based, visual or tactile, assists many of us to connect with God beyond just words spoken, read, sung or heard. Instead let our gatherings provide opportunities to engage our different senses and to use people’s different gifts and skills, interests and hobbies, in our worship of God and in ways that point us toward God.
