The Bible tells us that God created all of the world, all of the creatures in our world, and all of the universe around us in seven days.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
Every world was made different from the others. All of the stars in the sky are different. He made many types of trees, bushes and flowers. With His imagination God created all of the various kinds of birds, fish, animals, and even the bugs. And when He was finished with all of His creating …
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good … (Genesis 1:31a)
Have you ever tried to make something and then decided to start over? I did that as I prepared to share with you today. I began on one sheet of paper and ended up crunching it all together and throwing it away.
We don’t always get it right on the first try, do we? Some-times we work on a project for a long time, and when it is finished we don’t see what we hoped for. So we throw it away or pack it up and start over.
That is one reason I am not an artist. It usually takes me three to five attempts at it before I begin to like what I see. I think of the great stone sculptures that stand in museums and I know that I couldn’t begin to do that. Playdoh is better for me. I can squish it back together and start over much easier.
What about God? When He created the heavens and the earth, how many times do you think He had to start over? Did He ever throw away an idea because He didn’t like the finished product or couldn’t figure out how to make it what He envisioned in His imagination?
No, God is perfect. He doesn’t start over. He completes, He renews, but He does not start over. Everything God makes He sees as good. He delights in it. And that includes you and me.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made … (Psalm 139:14a)“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you …” (Jeremiah 1:5a )
For we are God’s masterpiece … (Ephesians 2:10 NCV)
We, too, are God’s creation. He formed us as we are, and He loves us for it.
Sometimes we fell like we are broken, imperfect, like God made a mistake with us. We feel like God wishes He could crinkle us up and start over on a clean sheet of paper. Or maybe we think He locks us away and forgets about us while He turns His attention and affection upon someone who turned out better than we did.
But God loves each and every one of us. When He looks at us He sees a perfect child of His creation. In His eyes we are “very good”.
For those of us who feel like we aren’t museum-quality artwork, God promises to fill our weakness with His strength. To give us faith where we have questions and doubts. He gives us joy where we only see sadness and pain.
And He makes us His own. His creation. His perfect masterpiece. Made with love to be His perfect children.
Chris MacKinnon 