The human is insignificant in one respect. Lives are born and destroyed every day. A human is literally a speck of cosmic dust in the vast universal expanse.

The human is the center of creation in some respects. Both physical and spiritual, uniquely able to reflect not only on itself, but even upon its own act of reflection (according to Kierkegaard). It names and defines all of nature, observable phenomenon, exploits its properties and governs its use.

The humans psyche can in one moment be at the height of ecstasy in its accomplishments and the joys of its discoveries and in the next be beaten down with the despair of helpless anxiety at its insignificance in the face of the external forces in this world.

So what is the human’s call; to be a humanist or an ascetic? How can one be both? And how can one be neither? In worship only is it possible to live in the tension.

In worship the individual is encompassed by God himself and his glory and the very words and thoughts which God has given are proceeding from the worshiper. He is humbled by the work of Jesus his Son who accomplished what no other human could. In worship also the soul is lifted up to the very throne of God and given its full worth as a son and daughter of God himself, one who’s value was appraised in the death of God’s own Son. Here alone is the human properly nothing and everything in perfect harmony.