The Glory of Creation

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Devotion:
I counted thirteen pieces of original artwork hanging on our refrigerator. A finger painting and several Sunday school pieces by my seven year old son, original photography by my 18 year old daughter, a rainbow made out of magnets by my daughter’s boyfriend and several handmade magnets crafted by my own hand were all proudly displayed and screaming, look at me, am I not beautiful? My husband’s creative contributions include funny songs made up on the spot. The kids join in and laughter fills every corner of our home. The original writings that flow from my husband, daughter and me are yet another form of creativity we find joy in. Each creative work seeks an audience and accolades.

The finger painting looks nothing like the evening sunset that God painted in our western sky. Or does it? The songs created and sung in our home do not sound like choirs of angels around the throne of God. Or do they? The words written, flowing from the vivid use of imaginations are of no comparison to the inspired Word of God. Or are they? Did God not create us in His very image? When Jesus walked the earth, did He not say we would do even greater things than He did? When God created the seas and the mountains, did He not seek an audience and accolades?

As I writer, I often find myself seeking the approval of man yet there are times I find myself wallowing in a pit of false humility. Did God really say, “Oh, it’s not much; just a little something I threw together”, when speaking of His creation? No, He did not. When God points to the mountain top and clears the fog so we can view the mountain in all of its splendor and majesty is He making excuses for it? No, He is not. Why then do I? When I write, I write with the will of God at the forefront of my thoughts. He has called me to do what I do. He considers me worthy of the calling and has lined up my talents so they are in alignment with His direction for my life. I write for the pleasure of God. I write so that He may receive all the glory, honour and power due Him. I take pride, yes I said pride, in what He has called me to do. Not a puffed up pride, but a pride that is birthed from humbleness and humility in the awesome privilege it is to serve such a creative God.

Creator of the universe, thank you for allowing me the great privilege to be creative. Remind me in everything I do; I do it for You. Humble me when necessary. Lift me up when You see fit. Search my heart and know me. Amen.

My Bubble

Recently God has revealed to me the invisible bubble that surrounds me. My own little world. My family. My home. The center of my own little universe, right here where I live. I have become too comfortable in my own skin. I have forgotten, not with a “wow, I didn’t realize people out there were hurting and dying, slaves to sin” kind for forgetting, but more of a “Yeah, I know people are out there hurting and I am writing my books, and the words God has given me are going to make a difference in someone’s life” kind of forgetting. The difference is in my compassion and my over all acceptance of ‘this is how things are’, what could I do anyway? I have become a sheltered Christian. This is so far away from my roots, how could I have let this happen? I used to cry many tears knowing that children are going to bed hungry, unloved and alone. What has happened to me? I used to be ‘a hands on’ type of gal…now I’m more an ‘I’ll pray for you’ kind of gal.

I believe the one thing that keeps us compassionate, concerned and committed to making change is our travels though valleys of our own. It is not on the mountain that we learn to make a difference; it is in the valleys. On our climb, our assent, we take what we learned while in the pit and help those around us. The memories are fresh, vivid and alive. We can take the experiences and turn them into life for others. We can feed the hungry and clothe the poor. We can give hope to the hopeless and bless those who curse us. Not because we are better or wiser. But because we have been there. We have been hungry, poor, hopeless and bitter. We can relate and encourage. Let us determine today, right now, to be difference makers. I challenge you to make a difference in someone’s life today. You may have the opportunity to travel to a third world country to help feed the poor and outcast. You may know someone who is sick and is need of a good pot of chicken soup. No matter where you are or what your financial status is, find a way to help someone else. In doing so, the person you will be helping the most is yourself.

"Today"

Today I woke up thinking about tomorrow and I had to ask myself what is wrong with today? Why am I so obsessed with all things tomorrow? Why are we, as humans, so obsessed with what is going to happen rather than with what is happening? Good things are coming, this is true. I think about my manuscript that is being published. I sometimes dwell on what it will be like to hold a finished book in my hands. Something that I wrote, spent many hours, tears, and emotions pouring over, is actually taking on form and becoming. Yet, if I think about it logically, I have 17,984,000 seconds before my book becomes a reality. What about the now? I have so much to be grateful for and think about right now, how I can possibly be dwelling over a moment in time that is lined up in the longest roller coaster ride line you have ever seen just waiting for its turn to be now? Yes, this is true. The present is one nanosecond at a time. Right now. Blink your eyes and it is too long. We can’t even process one nanosecond. It passes too quickly. It becomes the past in less than a blink of an eye. Wow! Now that is something to wrap my brain around. Today is what is happening at this very second. God says in Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” In Matthew 6:34 we read “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. So, no longer am I going to dwell upon tomorrow. I am going to think about today. This very moment. I have so much to be grateful for. I have my God, Who loved me so very much that He sent his only Son to die for me that I might have eternal life. I have my husband, Danny, who believes in me, supports me, encourages me, loves me and continues to be my best friend. I have my children, Jonna and Jeremiah, who I love with everything that I am and for now am blessed with these. My health and mind are in tact and in working order (that is sometimes debatable!). I have a home, which is comfortable and warm and good food to eat. I have a puppy that loves every moment she is with me, always forgiving and accepting. I have business cards that I can pass out to everyone and in doing so encouraging them to get involved and pass the word on about the story to come. I have a new story pouring through my head that is finding its way to paper, preparing itself to be the messenger in yet another story of God’s love and forgiveness. I have so much right now, this very moment to be thankful for! I am also grateful that I have a warm, comfortable bed that I am going to crawl into and take a nap!