"Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all the springs of water." (Revelation 14:7 NLT)
On Tuesday evening, we will board a plane and wing our way 7,000 miles across land and sea to Italy. (I was literally too excited to sleep last night!) We won’t be able to see it, but heavens, earth, mountain, oceans and springs of water will pass under our 757. It’s arresting to realize every nook and cranny above or below has been hand-crafted by God.
If we were, instead, to hike to a major port and set sail across the Atlantic, arrive in Western Europe and trek to our destination, we’d still only see a fractional percentage of the living creation that exists in every field, forest, mountain, swamp and sea between here and there. Just considering the variety of territory between here and there is mind-boggling. And all of it; every landform, species and molecule has been whispered into creation by our loving and creative God.
All this week, I’ve been considering God as a Creator.
"In the beginning, God created..." (Genesis 1:1 NLT)
We read it as simple fact; original story information. But as a creative individual myself, I have a special appreciation for the artistic process. I am aware of the enthusiasm, passion, talent and effort that is required for any installation.
Our Creator Sustainer did art on a macro level. He filled the earth with His glory. The earth and everything in it is a Sistine Chapel times a hundred billion. We marvel over what Michelangelo did with a church ceiling, but pause with me to deeply consider what God has done with the world over. And He continues to do. He didn’t whip up His artwork one day and walk away. We exist amidst a living exhibition and the original Artist is in endless attendance.
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. For He laid the earth’s foundation on the the seas and built it on the ocean depths. (Psalm 24:1-2 NLT)
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Lord, we consider the work of Your hands and we are overwhelmed by Your creative expression. Thank You for making space for us to live in wonder. May we not take it for granted, but slow our souls to appreciate Your gifts. We are in awe of what You create and sustain. Amen.