Take 5 with Kathy - "Created with purpose..."

We are soon approaching my favourite time of year – Spring! Since childhood I have always loved seeing and experiencing the first signs that winter was coming to an end and warmer weather was around the corner…

…tiny green shoots poking up through a snow-bare patch of earth

…water trickling merrily from under the snow on our roof

…catching a whiff of that “earthy” aroma in the late winter air

…delighting in the cheery babble of a bubbling brook beneath transparent ice

…hearing that first twittering of songbirds returning from southern climates

…observing emerging insects anxious to spread their wings

…marveling at jagged fissures formed by thinning lake ice

…seeing fresh buds bursting from tips of branches

When these evidences of spring appear in our cold northern environment it is truly a time for celebration! Like a bear venturing forth from hibernation my senses awaken with fresh energy and my spirit rejoices in my Creator who makes all things new.

He is my “Elohim”, the Creator God. This is a primary Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament and it represents His power and preeminence. Genesis 1:1&26 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” It is significant to note that the second part of this title, “him”, is in the plural form referring to the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As they are one God, all three were present at creation.

The apostle Paul testifies to this in Colossians 1:15-16, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth… everything was created through Him and for Him.”

God Himself verified His role as Creator when He said, “I am the One who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.”[i]

At the very essence of God is creativity. The diversity with which He fashioned the universe, the animal kingdom, and humanity never ceases to amaze my finite mind. It brings my spirit to its knees in worship as I acknowledge with the apostle John, “You are worthy, O Lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”[ii]

Chris Tomlin’s beautiful song, “Indescribable”, often comes to my mind:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation’s revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

 

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky

And You know them by name

You are amazing, God

 

All powerful, untamable

Awestruck we fall to our knees

As we humbly proclaim

You are amazing, God

 

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet, conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom[iii]

God’s purpose in creation is to bring glory and pleasure to His name.

“Lord, my Elohim, thank you for being our Creator God. It is amazing to think of all you have brought into being. Thank you for creating me to be the person I am. My heart is filled with gratitude for giving me the gifts, abilities, and personality that you have. Forgive me for times I have complained about myself or for times I longed to possess qualities I saw in someone else. Thank you for continuing to develop character in me that will accomplish Your purposes and bring glory to You. May I be faithful in daily obeying the truths of Your Word. May others know You better because they saw Jesus reflected in me. Amen.”

Until next Sunday,

Kathy

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[i] Isaiah 45:12

[ii] Revelation 4:11

[iii] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/indescribable.html

*All Scripture from NLT