 Friday: Poetry of Creation
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were
created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens
Genesis 2:4
God's creation is not merely the product of an orderly process. It is beautiful,
intriguing, and diverse. The earth is filled with rich colors and subtle
hues; roaring rivers and whispering breezes; majestic mountains and secret
ocean depths. Plants of every size and shape are abundant, and each is fitted
to the environment that God prepared for it. The variety of animal life is
equally breath taking, from microscopic creatures to immense denizens of
land and sea. The heavens are filled with beauty and mystery too great to
describe. Truly, creation is a reflection of God's imagination. It is a gallery
of God's art. It is a symphony of unsurpassable power and beauty.
In contrast with the structured progression described in Genesis 1, the account
of creation in Genesis 2 captures a sense of God's artistry. The words flow
like those of a master story teller or a poet. They are designed to move
the listener back in time. Back, before there were plants. Back, before there
was rain. Back, before the time of man. Having cleared the canvas, the poet
begins to weave a love story. It is the story about God's love for mankind;
a story about our needs; a story about our purpose; a story about our
companionship and relationship with both the Creator and the creation. It
is inspired and it is inspiring. If you have never done it before, take time
to read aloud Genesis 2:4-25.
Pilgrimage is a journey to know more about God and encounter Him in a new
way. It leaves the cares and distractions of the world behind. Even so, take
time to marvel at God's handiwork. We know God better when we see what He
has done and what He is doing. Creation is an expression of who God is and
how much He loves us. It is His sculpture, His sonnet, His creation. And
we are a part of it.
Great God, creator and lover of my soul, I marvel at the work of Your
hands. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory, and Your glory surrounds
me. Thank you for the beauty of creation. Thank you for Your boundless love,
a love that bids me walk with You and gives me strength and joy and
companionship. Lead me always in this path of beauty and love, and throughout
my life inspire me to share Your glory and Your ways with those around me.
Amen.
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