“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3)

This gospel begins where Jesus does – with creation. Like an artist whose personality leaks through the canvas, Jesus is revealed in and through creation. Picture if you will (pun intended?) the wondrous delight that Jesus and the Father took in every living thing. Reread Genesis 1 to remind yourself of how satisfied they were with what they would give to us for our sustenance, pleasure, and marvel.

I imagine many of you readers enjoy that first cup of coffee or tea in the morning on your back patio or front porch. You enjoy the sunrise, stillness, and quiet occasionally interrupted by the cheerful, playful assent of birds and squirrels. Those little dynamos that scamper and leap with reckless abandon. You might even say to yourself, “it doesn’t get any better than this”, or “no matter what else the day brings, I have this special moment”.

We are the crown jewel of God’s creation. Even with our shortcomings, failures, disobedience and neglect, our Lord delights in us. He has given us stewardship and dominion, not taking it away even with our spoiling and mismanagement. No matter what befalls us, whatever dark forces seem to hold sway, our heavenly Father took the most painful steps to ensure that nothing would separate us from His unconditional love.

Pastor Art