Psalm 139 is one of the most inspiring Psalms in Scripture and it was the inspiration for my book Waking Up Slowly. We don’t know when David wrote this stirring account of God’s indescribable attributes. Some believe he wrote it as a shepherd while gazing at the stars and the enormity of the heavens. Some feel he wrote it when he became king over Israel. As a more experienced human being myself it certainly feels like David had to have lived a little more life in order to write such a majestic dialog with God. But the truth is we just don’t know. In this amazing Psalm David made three observations about the greatness of God.

1. God knows everything about us.
2. God is everywhere we are.
3. God ordains everything about you.

The Psalmist clearly proclaims that we are not accidents and there is a purpose for you and me.

You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.
Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)

The thought that God has an ordained plan for our lives is a difficult idea to wrap our finite minds around. I am writing these words as we head into the Christmas season. I faithfully watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every Christmas. That classic movie reminds me that I am here for a reason. It is easy to think that our lives have fallen short of the dreams we once had. Remember the exuberant dreams that George Bailey shared with Mary during the movie? He had his life planned out and knew exactly how it would look.

“Mary, I know what I’m gonna do tomorrow and the next day and the next year and the year after that. I’m shaking the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I’m gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon…the Coliseum. Then I’m coming back here and go to college and see what they know and then I’m going to build things. I’m gonna build air fields. I’m gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high. I’m gonna build bridges a mile long.”

None of that happened. Not one part of it. His dreams had to be put aside to support his family. He lived a successful but humdrum life that fell apart after his Uncle Billy lost a huge deposit. The family business was about to be bankrupted and in the process many in his beloved community would be dramatically impacted or even ruined. There seems to be no hope and George wishes that he had never lived. An angel named Clarence (probably like the one I would get assigned) shows him what would have happened if that wish had come true. What if God had not put George Bailey in Bedford Falls? You likely know the rest of the story. George sees how many people and events his seemingly mundane existence had changed for good. His actions had even led to saving dozens of lives.

The awkward angel Clarence makes this simple but profound observation.

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Indeed.

The movie powerfully illustrates the truth of Psalm 139. We are known by God, We are watched over by God. We are ordained by God. You are not an accident nor am I. You are here for a reason. Henri Nouwen frames it beautifully.

“We seldom realize fully that we are sent to fulfill God-given tasks. We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide how to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will soon know what we were sent to do.”

Everyday has the potential to do something or learn something that will alter someone’s life and even eternity. What an amazing thought that God can use someone like me for His purpose. I find that a remarkable example of His grace. I am known, cherished and ordained by God for His purpose. So are you. Every day matters and every moment matters.

Our goal is to make that more real in our daily experience.

My brand new book children’s book Grunt the Runt Finds His Purpose illustrates in a heartwarming story how all of God’s creatures have a purpose. I hope you share Grunt’s story with the kids and grandkids in your life.