Do you like putting puzzles together? I do. A couple weeks ago we finished a puzzle of 2000 pieces. And this past weekend we put 1000 pieces together. Puzzles are symbolic to life. We don’t know the big picture but all the pieces will eventually form a beautiful picture. No matter how odd pieces we see along the way. Perseverance is the key to puzzles and life as well. But that’s not what I want to share with you today. I want to talk about the joy of seeing the picture come into life. I want to talk about the joy of creation.

You see, the picture of our puzzle this weekend was a world map with all these cute drawings of wonderful places and animals around the world. It made me think what a wonderful world we’ve been given. I truly enjoyed putting the puzzle together. Then I thought how much more God loved creating this wonderful world and you in it.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31, NIV)

The Lord your God is in your midst,
A Warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with joy.
(Zephaniah 3:17, AMP)

Summer time is a huge blessing in my book. Just see the lush creation around you. A symphony for our senses for sure. If God delighted in creating it and providing for us through it, shouldn’t we rejoice and be glad? Shouldn’t we embrace it and give thanks?

I think so. With the words of David Platt “God is revealing Himself all around us … So then, point to the glory of God; acknowledge the glory of God! Don’t say, “Look at that sunset; it is majestic.” Say, “Look at the glory of God revealed in this sunset; He is majestic!” Don’t talk about creation like you’re an atheist, Christian. Talk about creation like it’s revealing the glory of God. Point people to what God is already doing around us … God has given us ample opportunity in creation around us to point people to His glory.”

God really is revealing himself all around us. Let’s not waste this opportunity to get to know God better through his creation. Steve DeWitt writes in his book Eyes Wide Open: Enjoying God in Everything “Christianity’s answer to the question of why creation is so beautiful is that it flows from the character of a beautiful creator. Nature is God’s self-portrait. It is not God, since God transcends what He has created, but it reveals in physical form what He is like spiritually. God creates beauty so we can know what He is like. Since He is and always has been glorious and beautiful, creation reflects this with seeable, tastable, touchable, hearable, and smellable reflections of His glory and beauty. This is what Isaiah heard the angels exulting. The whole earth is filled with His glory, and it is a ‘song about God.’”

Lord God, you created heaven and earth by your great power and outstretched arm; nothing is too hard for you! (Jeremiah 32:17, CEB)

God is our creator and the whole earth is filled with his glory. We are so blessed. We just need to recognise it, embrace it. Our God is powerful and nothing is too hard for him. And he loves you. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you. He even sent his only son to die for you to make it possible for you to really be his. Grab God’s invitation with both hands, embrace God and what he is doing. And dance, sing and make joyful noise to your Maker! Every day of your life.

 

Gracious God,
You are truly amazing.
Thank you for inviting us to be yours
and making it possible for us to be made right with you.
Thank you for revealing us more of you.
We are so blessed, thank you thank you thank you.
We praise you forever and ever.
You are our God and we are your people.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

Q4U: What does creation teach you of God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace God and all he is!

Image courtesy and design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Five Minute Friday, Small Wonders, and#InspireMeMonday.