The other day while walking in the rain I noticed the sidewalk was littered with worms. They had emerged from their homes in the dirt along either side of the pavement. As I walked, I found myself trying not step on them. I don’t know why, I’m not some, nothing should ever die new age hippie. I mean, I swat flies, kill bugs and eat babies like any good atheist does. I watched as worms were washed away to their death by the tiny sidewalk rivers. Others, safe from these rivers would surely meet their doom under foot or bike tire. Still many of those that survive the flood will be baked onto the sidewalk by the morning sun. Suddenly I was struck by the sheer randomness of life and death.

Do worms have a relationship with God? Do some go to heaven and others to hell? Are worms influenced by angels or demons? No, of course not, they have no imagination. Are some chosen for death based on their views on same sex marriage or abortion? No, they just live and die completely at random.

So do we.

When you think of the size and complexity of the universe what makes our place in it different from worms?

Asking yourself that question can be very humbling.