Sometimes today we hear people say, "I worked myself out of a job." By this they mean that they did their job so effectively that there is no need for the job any longer. What their job was created to do has been accomplished. The job is over . . . done!

Is not the very opposite the case with God? Through the creation of human life, God has assured for himself a continuing role of caring for what he created. Human life is the pinnacle of God's creation. Humans are created in the image of God; human life has been gifted with both intelligence and free will.

Intelligence and free will are indeed blessings. They are indeed what set us above all the other creatures of God. But with intelligence and free will, we can destroy both ourselves and others. And most importantly we can choose to ignore the One who has created us. Thus God needs to continually watch over us-care for us-and in his providence protect us. Because of the way God created us, God will never be out of a job.

Sometimes children ask, and maybe as adults we wonder about it too: What does God do all day? Isn't it boring just sitting on a throne in heaven? But this is clearly not what God does. God is engaged in life. God is active beyond imagination . . . overseeing, protecting, and caring for each of his creatures.

Just think of yourself . . . maybe you alone keep God busy looking after you, . . . and then there are your billions of sisters and brothers who also need and deserve attention. A day in the life of God must be pretty amazing!

© Harcourt Religion Publishers/BROWN-ROA