Happy Birthday, Aunt Katie!!!
Daily Reading
Daily Thought
I gaze at a sunrise because I am overwhelmed by its beauty and must stop and take it in. I watch hummingbirds because they are fascinating and fun. Delight rises within me as they flitter about. I peer into the intricacies of a rose and marvel at God, thanking Him for creating this world with such wonder. Creation could function, I suppose, without beauty, but that is not the character of our Creator. God is an artist and as he finished each day of creation, he admired his handiwork and “saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). It more than works, it marvels! Creation is beautiful and all beauty points to God.
When God created the heavens and the earth, he made a home for us, but more importantly, a temple for the Almighty, where heaven and earth meet. Six days of creation, then God rested, which means his work was done, but rest also means “to take residence,” and that is what God did–“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Isaiah 66:1). This world is his temple and we met him there.
Until we sinned and were cast out of the Garden of Eden.
Then God chose a people, the nation of Israel, and began preparing them for a new place to meet–“Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel’” (1Kings 6:11-13). King Solomon would build a Temple on earth for a nation to meet her God.
The Temple was constructed of stone and overlaid in cedar and cypress and olivewood, then covered with gold. Grand columns were erected and there were engravings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers and gold chains. You could almost hear the echo of Genesis 1 as Solomon would pause at the end of a day and admire the handiwork. He saw that it was good.
We see good because we are made in the image of the God who created all that is good. God’s image is the mark of humanity. I cannot share the beauty of a sunset with my dog. It has no appeal to her–she was not made in God’s image, but I was. Solomon was a creative artist because God is a creative artist, and so are you and me in our own unique God-given ways. We are creative and our good works point to God because God is the almighty Creator and we reflect who he is.
Daily Prayer
Creator God, I am amazed at Your works, and when I realize I am Your workmanship, I hold my breath. What do You have in mind for me? God, may I make it easy for You to mold me into the person You had in mind when You created me. I submit to Your will because it is good.
Thank You for noticing me! And delighting in me!! May people see what You have done in me and give You praise.
Amen
Daily Question
What are the things in creation that most turn your thoughts toward God?