Are you only human?

We've all heard the phrase, "I'm only human." Is it true? Are we 'only' human, like being human is such a lowly thing?

Are we not made in the image of God? Were we not given dominion over animals and other living things? Did Jesus not say "...whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these..."?

I started thinking about this one day when a substitute instructor was late for the class they said they'd teach. They came running in at the last minute and said, "Oh well, I'm only human!" I guess they thought that made it okay. Just like all the other times...

I would venture to guess this person wasn't late because they're "human," but because they don't plan well, or overbook themselves, or they lack discipline, or some such thing. I mean, I could understand a dog or a cat being late because... they're a dog or cat. They don't know what being late even is. Humans are not like dogs and cats though. We have brains and all sorts of other things God has gifted us with that make us, actually, quite amazing creatures!

I mean, think about all the wonderful things we can do... We can see, and hear, and smell, and feel, and think through things, and reason, and encourage each other, and love, and forgive, and... well, the list goes on. We can do a lot!

It's just been rubbing me the wrong way how so often we use the "only human" phrase to justify poor behavior or faulty thinking or some such thing. It would be simpler to just say "I'm sorry," or to ask forgiveness. To say it's because we're human seems to really downgrade God's handiwork. 

So, today, how about we all say, "I AM human!"... and think about what a blessing that is. Then maybe we can actually bless someone while we're at it. :)

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Psalm 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well."