Created With a Purpose
A devotional reflecting on God’s creativity and how He desires us to also be creative and join Him in this world to bring about His vision.
Creativity…Intelligence Having Fun!
SCRIPTURE:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:10–
THOUGHT:
Many of you know that I am techno-stupid. At my age, it takes a long time to understand these “new-fangled gadgets”. Yet, once I understand them, I try to run with them and on the dark side, sometimes I become infatuated with them. My daughter, (after several attempts) has finally taught me how to use my iPad for Netflix. I love it! I have become very hooked on movies, for sure, but also on the cooking shows. Now mind you, I cannot cook. Yet, I find that cooking and especially the chefs, are like artists. They create something out of nothing. A couple of them are using bugs and such, and I cannot watch those for obvious reasons. Yet, for the chefs that stick with real food, it is fascinating to watch. Something that doesn’t even seem edible is transformed and it becomes a delicious dish. They are creating something from almost nothing.
Why do I find these kind of shows so intriguing? I believe it is because they truly are a type of artist in their own right. I watch them use all their senses in the process of making a new dish. When they are choosing a vegetable, they smell it and touch it and look at it all around and then they cut it with a sharp and spicy edge to the sound. You see? All the senses involved. The produce is just sitting there doing nothing until the chef becomes involved, using his or her knowledge, skills, and senses to make it come to life. Delicious life!
I believe this is just the sort of time God created us for and we can do it. God also created something out of nothing. Unfortunately, this pandemic is far from over. The numbers are rising and there is definitely not a quick fix as we may have thought 5 months ago. Yet, God also created ingenuity and compassion. I have seen so many stories on the TV about people who are either helping others or are creating new things to help out others. Who would have thought so many people could create and make so many masks? New small businesses are sprouting up all over the world because of persons who were laid off or furloughed and need to make a living. More people are helping those small businesses by ordering things online that they might not have ordered previously. I saw a little girl (who is now at home during the pandemic during school hours) who has “met” the delivery man who happens to be Deaf. She told him to “Have a good day” in sign language. He is, alternatively, teaching her more sign language. I read about a truck driver in Houston, who, after being furloughed, started a baking business. He always loved baking but was afraid to start his own business and now he has accomplished it. How about drive-by weddings and birthday parties? We would have laughed at it a few months ago, but now it is a norm and a lot of FUN. Or, this lowly teacher who never thought she could teach online with virtual learning. Now, not only did I learn how to teach online, but will be doing it again in a few weeks.
Maybe we could pretend and say that all these people created and implemented all these things on their own but instead let’s look at the source of the creativity. Our God, the Creator Himself. Now, since He did give us all these wonderful gifts, we are then to mold a terrible situation into doing His Work. The scripture says that God already knew in advance what He wanted us to do for His Kingdom. Maybe He wanted compassion? Or thoughtfulness? Or inclusion? Or insight? Or ……?
It’s a new time my friend. Yet, in this unchartered territory, I am happy that I believe in my God, my Creator, the Maker of Heaven and earth. I believe that He created each of us for a purpose, in order to make His Kingdom all that it is meant to be. I believe that each of us is capable of doing all that we can to help each other and doing our best for His Best.
PRAYER:
We continue to come to You, our Creator to ask that you intervene and destroy this terrible viral pandemic. Yet, until that happens, we Thank You for the God-given ability to help others and to build your Kingdom even in the midst of calamity. Help us to love others with the love that You have bestowed upon us.
AMEN.
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