Masterpieces

I know that many people debate over the validity of theories like Evolution and Creation. I, for one, have generally taken the stance that it doesn't matter which theory is correct--ultimately when it comes down to it, I wasn't around when the world or humanity came into existence so I cannot vouch for the validity of one idea over the other. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I don't care what method God used--it doesn't matter whether He did it with a big bang, in seven literal days, or if it happened over many weeks or years...no matter how it happened, it is still miraculous. What I believe really matters is one's personal connection to God and a loving interaction with humanity.

What I'm really saying is let's just keep things in a proper perspective--there are just some things that aren't worth making into such a huge deal that they become a source of division between people.

All that being said, I think there is something to be said about the beauty of the Biblical creation story. I'm not going to argue about whether it is a literal or metaphorical account of creation--that's not my battle. But I do want to point out that the Biblical creation grants humanity a dignity, hope, and value that no other theory can come close to touching. Regardless of how many days or years or methods God used to make the world, whether it took seven actual days or if those days are just an allegorical representation of time, one thing stands out: the creation of man was an intimate act of God.

In a previous blog, I talked a little bit about how words carry the power of life in them (Prov. 18:21). According to Genesis, the beginning of all life sparked from the words of God, all life that is except man's. Right away this distinction creates a significance. Human beings are not on the same plane as vegetation, the solar system, or animals.

The words of God set the foundations for Earth, but when it came to humanity, God didn't use words; He didn't just speak man into being. Instead, God got dirty--He put His hands into the dust of the ground and molded every intricate detail of the human body. God took the time and the passion of an artist and shaped man and woman. Picture it, the loving hands of The Creator molding with the most careful precision and eager expectation the bodies of beings He intended to love beyond human comprehension.

Not only did God use His hands to create man, God also implanted within man a vital ingredient to life. Once the body was completed, God bent down, placed His mouth over the mouths of the created and injected breath into the deflated lungs (Gen. 2:7). The first breath of man was directly infused by the breath of God. It was an act too powerful, too personal, too holy for words.

Now don't miss this--not one single living human being continues to breathe without the profound grace of God. Breathing is an act of God. Let that realization take some time to settle...for if this thought has never occurred to you, then you are about to experience a paradigm shift.

There was a time in my life when this very understanding kept me waking up every morning with a determination not to take my life because I figured that if God thought it was worth His effort to keep breath in me, then I had something of value to look forward to.

I know that there is no perfect proof of the existence of God, but I'd say that breath is a pretty good indication of some incredible power that sustains life. Nothing in science can explain the origin of breath, there is no reserve of breath stored somewhere that can be harvested, and man cannot create breath. Without God, breath is a mystery. But if one believes in a loving creator God, then all one must do is look around and see God breathing in humanity everywhere--the presence of God is still observable in His most passionate creation.

God loves life. He IS life. When God made man and woman, He couldn't help but share with them the ability to engage with Him in the ongoing creation of life. How incredible is it that God allowed humanity a role in birth? With every breath each newborn takes, God is interacting by providing the breath for each pair of lungs.

The Bible talks about two births: the birth of life and a spiritual birth--a birth of faith. Not only are humans made intimately, but God also wants humans to freely choose to let Him invade their soul.

Nicodemus was a well-respected, high-ranking religious leader. He was touched by the teachings of Jesus and awed by Jesus' miracles. So one night, he went to talk to Jesus. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus' words and actions were evidence of God's favor. But Jesus wasn't interested in Nicodemus acknowledgment, Jesus wanted to be sure that Nicodemus would latch onto the gift of eternal life--the whole purpose for Jesus being on Earth in the first place. So Jesus cut straight to the chase by stating that no one can obtain eternal life without being born again. This puzzled Nicodemus, and when he questioned Jesus about it, this is what Jesus said:

"The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit" (John 3:5-8 NLT).

While human birth is granted by grace, a birth of the Spirit is a birth of faith. This is a beautiful opportunity. Humans can't choose whether or not they are born, but they can choose to accept a spiritual rebirth. God has so much intended for humanity, but it isn't available without faith. Through faith, humans have access to unimaginable gifts--healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, visions, and a profound ability to love, which trumps all other abilities.

All of the great Biblical heroes experienced a rebirth. Moses was taught by God for years in the wilderness where he worked as a shepherd. It was there that God shaped Moses' character to be ready to return to Egypt a new man--a leader worthy of a nation. Abram and Sarai's rebirth came with new names: Abraham and Sarah. Paul's rebirth came with temporary blindness that led to a vision that has impacted the world.

God is already intimately connected to all humans, but He has designed greater things for humanity--eternal life, a peace that passes all understanding, the opportunity to be the voice, hands, and feet of God--the list goes on and on. But none of these things can happen without faith. Hebrews 11:6 says that "it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him"(NLT).

God could've left humanity to rot in its own failure, but instead God went to the ultimate extreme to make sure that the faith of those such as Abraham and his decedents wouldn't be in vain. Paul writes about this in Ephesians 2:

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God's special favor (grace) that you have been saved! For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus . . . God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (verses 4-6, 8-10).

We are God's masterpiece--created by His hands, imbued with His breath, and called to a faith-walk with Him. Favor such as this deserves the greatest loyalty, love, praise, and worship.