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We’re starting today with an excerpt from my absolute favourite children’s Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. It’s a portion of the creation account written for children as the audience.
God saw all that He had made and He loved them. And they were lovely because He loved them.
But God saved the best for last. From the beginning, God had a shining dream in His heart. He would make people share His Forever Happiness. They would be His children, and the world would be their perfect home.
So God breathed life into Adam and Eve. When they opened their eyes, the first thing they saw was God’s face.
And when God saw them He was like a new dad.
“You look like Me,” He said. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made!“
God loved them with all His heart. And they were lovely because He loved them.
And Adam and Eve joined the song of the starts and the streams and the wind and trees, the wonderful song of love to the One who made them.
Their hearts were filled with happiness. And nothing ever made them sad or lonely or sick or afraid.
God looked at everything He had made. “Perfect!” He said. And it was.
But all the stars and the mountains and oceans and galaxies and everything were nothing compared to how much God loved His children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost Him, He would always love them.
And so it was that the wonderful love story began…
What strikes me about this story is how the language communicates that God’s creation derives its value and beauty from God Himself.
This concept isn’t specific to this children’s Bible exclusively. It can be found throughout all the Scriptures. For example, the following verse was my original inspiration for this post:
“There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them.”
– Ezekiel 20:11
In both the children’s Bible excerpt and this verse from Old Testament prophet, the idea is that God’s people find LIFE and find their loveliness in Him, and through Him, and by following Him.
The Scriptures are clear: we are at our best, our loveliest, most aligned with our purpose, and most alive, when our lives are surrendered to God. When we are following Him. When we are walking in step with His Spirit.
We are misled when we’re convinced that we can somehow find beauty apart from God. That loveliness can exist without Him.
But how can this be?
If He is the source of all good things (James 1:17), then let’s go to the Source!
Anything good you see in this world has God as its source. Whatever you find lovely about another person, or whatever goodness someone might see in you, it comes from God. He is the source of all beauty, love, and goodness.
I had posted this on my Instagram account recently and it follows the same idea:
Have you ever met someone who’s just glowing? I’m not referring to that pregnancy glow that no one tells you is actually a layer of sweat. Nor is it the contour and highlighting technique they’ve finally mastered whilst applying makeup.
That glow is reflecting none other than God Himself.
12 They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.
– Jeremiah 31:12-14
They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts—
the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil,
and the healthy flocks and herds.
Their life will be like a watered garden and all their sorrows will be gone.
13 The young women will dance for joy,
and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration.
I will turn their mourning into joy.
I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.
14 The priests will enjoy abundance,
and My people will be satisfied with My goodness.”
says the Lord.
Can you say that about yourself? Do you find yourself satisfied with God’s goodness? Or are you clambering to find the beauty you crave everywhere else?
Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
– Psalm 34:5
There’s that word radiant again.
Radiant people, cannot also be covered in shame. It’s a juxtaposition. They simply don’t fit together. The only way we can truly be radiant, and shake off the shackles of shame and death, is by looking to Jesus.
Psalm 34 goes on to say:
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
– Psalm 34:8-10
blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.
9 Fear the Lord, you His holy people,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
I can’t help but think of so many loved ones, and maybe you can too! I think of how hard life can be for so many. Lacking so much. Seeking refuge. Sometimes with tangible needs, like a job that will help make ends meet.
But in our privileged corner of the world, I think it’s more likely that the circles we swim in are filled with people who are spiritually poor, emotionally empty, and mentally bankrupt. Their lives lack meaning and purpose and beauty because they do not go to the Source for these.
Do you?
I’ll admit, even as I share this, I do not always. I mentioned in a previous post, The Deepest Desire, about how I don’t always go to the Source of love, joy, peace for the things I crave. For the colour I want to see light up my life. For the beauty I want to find in my everyday.
Oh how He longs to share all this with us, and more.
Colossians 1:17 has recently become one of my most favourite verses.
It’s such a beautiful reminder of our starting point in the Jesus Storybook Bible – that we are lovely because He loves us. All part of His beautiful design.
Because He is the Source: so He is before all things. And He is the Sustainer: so in Him all things hold together.
Are you struggling to hold your life together?
It’s only meant to happen in Him. Sure, we can strive and struggle to make it all work. But why would you want to? If God is completely self-sustaining, wouldn’t it make sense to draw from Him for our sustenance too?
Ending with the doxology of Romans 11, Paul opens, barely able to put into words, how awesome God is.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
– Romans 11:33-36
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
The doxology ends similarly to the previous verse in Colossians.
A reminder that:
- FROM Him
- THROUGH Him
- FOR Him
…are all things.
That progression is significant! If you have something FOR God, it would have to come FROM Him and THROUGH Him to you in the first place.
Because God loves us with all His heart. And we are lovely because He loves us.
What’s in the Ears
Where does this all land for you? Let me know in the comments or send me a message!
Podcast available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Anchor!
From The Overflow 