Painters copy on canvass concepts and images that originated with God. Sculptors form and shape objects that were conceptualized by God. Yet God, who humanly speaking, could have exercised His copyright, did not do so.
We tend to take for granted the wonder, the grandeur, the splendor and the variety of God’s creation on display to us. The creation is astonishing, even if the ground is under a curse (Gen 3:17) and the creation been made subject to vanity by God (Rom 8:20).
The reflection of light on water, a sunset coloring the western skyline with tinges of yellow, orange and at times purple, picturesque landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful beaches, lush forests, prancing antelope, the incredible variety of ocean life … and one can go on and on naming the awesome diversity of life forms on our planet.
We who know that it did not come about by evolution over millions of years, would do well to pause and reflect, not only on God’s creative power, but also His imaginative mind.
Imagine an angel appear to you and tell you that you have found favor with God and that He has decided to give you unlimited creative power. You will be taken in spirit to an empty planet where you will be allowed to exercise your creative power. All you need to do is merely wave your hand and utter the words, “Let there be…”
You say “Wow, that is fantastic!”
The angel replies, “There is only one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You may not duplicate what is on planet earth, because it will violate God’s copyright.”
“What about water?”
“Sorry, copyright.”
“What about grass, plants and trees?”
“Sorry, copyright.”
You begin to let your mind run wild… You may come up with some strange and funny creatures, like in children’s movies. But my guess is that soon you will feel how limited we are. You would not know where to begin.
My point is that in creation, as well as the re-creation described in Genesis 1, God had nothing to work from, except His own creativity. His ideas came from Himself.
…out of Him and through Him and for Him is all… (Rom 11:36)
We can learn something about God’s character – His ingenuity; His love and care; by observing and appreciating His creation.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [divinity – Concordant Literal Translation]…(Rom 1:20)
When God answered Job after his friends had their say about his calamities, He asked him rhetorical questions about His creation,
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?… Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? … (Job 38:4, 6-7)
…And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass? (Job 38:27)
…Have you given the horse strength? (Job 39:19)
…Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high? (Job 39:27)
Affirmations of God’s wonderful and beautiful creation are found in Psalm 104:
He sends the springs into the valleys; they flow among the hills, they give drink to every beast of the field…the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works (:10, 11).
O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of your possessions – this great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things…(:24, 25).
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works…I will be glad in the LORD (:31, 34).
Today, the tendency is to give credit to nature. Biomimicry, according to the Biomimicry Institute, “is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges – and find hope.” Here nature is honored, instead of the Creator God (cf Rom 1:21). No doubt, many cases of mimicking God’s creation have been helpful to mankind. Hook and loop fasteners, e.g. Velcro, were inspired by the hooks on a burr seed. The shape of a maple seed that allows it to drift in the wind longer and further and the silent flight of an owl, caused by their peculiar feathers on the edge of their wings, both played a part in the design of more efficient wind turbines. The myriad of cases where designers, farmers and engineers have found and continue to find inspiration by what was created and fashioned by God, testifies of His creative genius.
In the world to come even more of God’s creative genius will be displayed. The new earth and the new Jerusalem – “the city whose builder and maker is God” (Heb 11:10) which we read about in Revelation 21 and 22, will no doubt be breathtaking in its beauty and grandeur.
Quoting from Isaiah the apostle Paul wrote,
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit…(1 Cor 2:9,10).
God has revealed to us in broad terms, through the apostle Paul, what glorious inheritance await us who are part of the Body of Christ. But as a loving Father who likes to surprise his children with unexpected gifts or fun outings, no doubt there will be no end to the display of God’s creative genius and love toward us. Dawid wrote,
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:11)
It is not wrong to applaud an artist or engineer for his or her excellent work. But let us not forget who is the Originator of everything and who gave different talents to people – the greatest Artist and Engineer ever.
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