You may not know this about me, but I am a lover of Shakespeare — a trait that my daughter inherited, who especially loves the play Hamlet. Not that this is rare, as Hamlet is one of the most beloved, and most quoted, literary figures of all time. And for good reason: he really has a way with words. Shakespeare's questions put into words things that many of us wonder about, even centuries later.
In one of his most famous monologues, Hamlet ponders, "What a piece of work is man?" He's hardly the first to wonder what humans are in relation to the world and the universe around us. His words echo the Psalmist who wrote: "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4)
For Hamlet, the answer is that we are but dust, and concludes that we are ultimately meaningless. The Bible tells us that we are made from dust, and that one day we will return to dust, but presents us with a different, more hopeful understanding than what Hamlet offers. Yes — we are dust. But that means we are formed from the same essence that makes up all of God's creation, which God calls very, very good. And we are given a purpose.
This week we will seek to understand that purpose as we celebrate God's amazing, beautiful, mysterious, majestic creation and the role God has given us within it. Our children will be singing, dancing, and praying as they lead us in worship.
I hope to see you on Sunday!
Ms. Kim