Very Good

“God created man in his image, in the divine image he created them male and female he created them. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” Genesis 1: 27, 31a

Have you ever looked up into a cold, crisp night sky and found yourself mesmerized by the billions of stars in the heavens? Or have you ever had to catch your breath at the sight of a sunrise or sunset that created colors you didn’t think existed? Have you ever stood before the mighty power of the ocean’s waves and felt foolishly weak? Or have you ever been brought to tears while speechless at the sight of any wonder of God’s creation?

Unless we have become so absorbed (or self-absorbed) by our culture with all of our gadgets and beeps and whistles, then I think most of us have spent some time outside or been at least once in a situation where we were overwhelmed by the beauty and vastness of creation. And on more than one occasion we have probably caught ourselves wondering how small or insignificant we must be compared to something like Niagara Falls, Old Faithful, or the Grand Canyon. I’m sure we’ve all recognized our powerlessness over the forces of nature such as tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes. We look around, compare our own minimal contributions to the world and conclude that God must be much more concerned with the “better” things in His creation than us.

And yet, for all the breathtaking beauty, overwhelming wonders and intimidating powers of our world and universe, none is more beautiful, wonderful or majestic in the eyes of the Father than us. For we, as humans, are created in the image and likeness of God. Not even angels can claim this honor. And despite all the amazing things God has created, He only died for us. It was for you and me that Jesus was willing to suffer and offer Himself. It was because God did not want to spend eternity without us. This is how much He loves us.

No waterfall, sunset or mountain vista is beloved to our Lord. Only you and I are. And while this is no reason to be prideful, it is a reason to be hopeful. So the next time you are standing in awe of something our Lord has created, know that when you look into a mirror, you should be even more filled with wonder and appreciation. For in that face, you see the crowning glory of God’s handiwork. And what you see is very good.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me a spirit of awe and wonder in the presence of Your creation. Give me the grace to view myself and others with the same sense of majesty. Amen.