God’s infinite creativity, autumn Saturday mornings
One of the things I love most about our Convention’s annual meeting is it gives me a chance to renew friendships. Too often it is the only time of the year I get to see many of you and thank you for supporting The Pathway ministry. While that opportunity is too infrequent, I can at least count on this annual event to satisfy my appetite for such warm fellowship. I know I can count on seeing many of you this time every year.
In that respect, the annual meeting is like autumn: It comes around the same time every year. I love the changing seasons, but there is nothing quite like autumn. There is a unique elegance and aroma about it that directs my thoughts to God and His infinitely creative power.
I usually arise from bed around 6:30 on Saturday mornings, especially during the fall. I tiptoe across the kitchen to my study (Miss Bernadette would not be pleased if I were to awaken her) where I ease into my prized “Judge Judy” chair and pull up to my desk. There I sit contently for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet stillness and enticed only by my working library of books that occupy one wall. Despite their magnetism, I am compelled to glance out the double windows, giving me access to the light fog hanging over the dew-covered fescue as sunlight breaks through.
My windows afford me a view of our front yard ruled by a trio of mighty oak trees. The leaves on our oaks are turning a spectacular yellow, a worthy payback for suffering through the drudgery of collecting the dozens of acorns dropped on our lawn. The nearest oak stretches-out a limb in my direction as if attempting to tap on the windows. Sometimes an obnoxious blue jay occupies the same limb as if to preside over the morning’s proceedings. This outdoor theatre of sorts is always too alluring. The invitation to join the festivities proves irresistible.
The cool, early morning air is refreshing as I survey our freshly cut lawn. I collect a few leaves and acorns before watering the shrubs and flowers. I notice little divots in the mulch where scurrying squirrels store acorns to provide nourishment through the approaching winter. The little stinkers have done me no favor. The buried acorns left over will become mini oak trees that I have to weed-out come spring. But early autumn mornings are not the time to worry about such projects.
Finally, I sit in our swing. It is in the quietness of that moment that I savor the dew on the grass, the colorful foliage, that obnoxious blue jay now being harassed by a indomitable cardinal and the introduction of a sky void of clouds and bluer than any I have ever seen. It is enough to make my heart burst with thanksgiving to God.
Genesis makes it clear that there is a creation order established by God. Genesis 1:11-12 says the plants bear fruit according to their “kind.” God created fish, birds and the other animals which multiply according to their “kind.” It is clear from these verses that various plants and animals have inherent characteristics that make them distinct from one another. It is also clear that God views these distinctions as “good.”
There is a close bond between humankind and the rest of creation (Gen. 3:17-18; Ps. 96: 10-13). Genesis 18:27 says there are even physiological similarities between humankind and the rest of creation. Humankind shares in creation’s dependence on God’s goodness for its continuance (Ps. 103:15: Isa. 40:6-7).
Of course God’s ultimate creative skills resulted in Him distinctively making us. We are distinctive because God created only us in His image. Genesis 2:7 says only people were the result of God’s direct creative activity. Only into humans did God breathe the breath of life. Only to people did God give dominion over the earth and the other creatures in it (Gen. 1:28-30). Only to people did God give the responsibility to cultivate the earth (Gen. 2:15) Only to humans did God give special instructions regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). When a helper for Adam was sought, none of the other creatures was suitable (Gen. 2:18-20); only God’s special creative act could provide that helper (Gen. 2:21-23). Genesis 1:31 describes humankind’s creation order distinctiveness as being “very good.”
God has done so much in my life for which I am thankful. I am thankful for our unique, inseparable bond made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on Golgotha. I am thankful for the distinctiveness He gave all of us, as well as all of nature. I stand in awe of His breathtaking creativity, matchless grace and supernatural power. It would all be so overwhelming, but in His infinite knowledge, He knows early-autumn Saturday mornings are more than enough to satisfy my longing to fellowship with my Creator.