Made by the Hands that Made Heaven

God looked over everything that He had made; it was good, so very good! (Gen. 1:31 MSG)

 There is something entirely refreshing and incredible about starting a brand-new year.  I began 2022 feeling inspired to go on a journey of reading through the Bible in a year.  On day one, I found myself reading the story of creation.  Of course, I know the story of creation and have read it before.  We learn the creation story as children.   As adults, we don’t visit the story often.  Sometimes these old stories become so familiar that we lose sight of the wonder of the pure miracle of our created world.

 The other day I left an ordinary day at work.  As I was walking out to my car, my eyes were drawn to a remarkable display of God’s glory painted in the sky in vivid orange and deep purple tones that caused me to stop in my tracks.  There in the Target parking lot, on a day not unlike any other, I was reminded of what great lengths God will go to, to tell His children how much He loves them.

 As I ponder over the handiwork of our creator, I stop to think about all the corners of the world that hold special significance to me.  I think about the oasis my husband and I visited in Mexico where we celebrated our love on our honeymoon and first anniversary.  I think of the country of Ghana, where I did my first overseas missions’ trip.  I think of Palmira, Colombia, a city I have visited multiple times and a home full of orphaned children that captured my heart.  Each of these places is beautiful in their own unique way.  Each one holds different treasures.  The people of each nation exude the glory of God in ways that are distinct and tied to their cultural surroundings.  Only God can fill the earth with billions of people and make each one uniquely beautiful.

 I stop to think of the beauty of the miracle of life and a newborn baby, opening its eyes to the world for the first time.  I think about the stars that paint the sky at night reminding us even through the darkness that we are never alone.

 It fills my heart with delight and gratitude to consider that Father God created everything with me in mind.  He painted beauty into our world anticipating the joy it would create in our lives. Each aspect of God’s creation reveals His heart towards us.  We can hear the resounding message written by God in the beauty of the world around us if we quiet our minds and our hearts enough to hear it.  Sometimes it is spoken as a whisper, while at times it resounds like a symphony.  Each time His message is the same.  He says to us, “I love you.  I love you.  I love you.”