My cousin, little four-year-old Annabelle, lives her life like she is being driven by a million exuberant urges through a whirlwind of creativity. She will start one project and then halfway through will decide to do another. She leaves half finished masks, pictures and coloring books everywhere because she is on to the next thing before she ever finishes the first one. The creations in and of themselves only have value for the momentary distraction they provide. She delights in them for an average of 5 minutes, giving them her full devotion during that short window of time, but they will never end up on the fridge or in a display case since they are ultimately a quickly forgotten project in a long stream of activities done throughout the day.
Sometimes, when it comes to God and our own creation, we can feel like we are one of those projects. God is so busy, and He is making so many humans, that we must be just one of countless little meaningless projects He has going on. We don’t deserve to be on the fridge. We will never be illuminated on the pedestal or displayed on the wall. We are one of millions - billions actually. How much time and effort could God have really meant to put into me?
Yet the Bible tells us otherwise.
Made by the Master Artist himself. He signed his name. He didn’t just scribble a few colors and then turn the page. The Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And His intent is not to leave us forgotten after He made us, and move on to something else. He is committed for the long haul. In Isaiah we read: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. " I am undeniably all His.
Before the creation of the world. There was foreknowing and intent behind MY creation. Thought. Planning. Meaning. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says: “ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you”. So we can be confident that God’s relationship with us is not a momentary distraction or just a whim, but rather an intentional and purposeful act of bringing into being what He already knew outside of the scope of time. I was a meaningful idea of the Creators before I ever became a soul inhabiting this cellular structure.
Precious in my sight. Because I was planned, committed to and intentionally placed on the timeline of history, I have immense value in God’s eyes. Again and again in His Word He tells me that I am sought after, precious in His sight, delighted in, significant, and above all - loved, loved, loved. We can’t escape the magnitude of His love. It’s everywhere - and most vividly it was put on full heart-wrenching display on the cross. I cannot question that level of love and devotion. Indisputably, He values His creation and will stop at nothing to prove it.
So next time you feel like you are an afterthought of a very busy Creator, then remember: He has you engraved on the palm of His hand. He knows how many hairs are on your head at this moment. He has created you and crowned you with glory and honor and appointed you to be a light to the world, on full magnificent display for others to see. Each of His Creations are unique and He delights in us all. May you see yourself through the eyes of the Master Artist, and may you allow Him to proudly sign His name and show off your beauty to the world.
- Kelly Joyce (a member of the COB Community. Check out more of her writing at Triumphantly.net)