Reflecting God’s Goodness (Genesis 1: 31a)
“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”
In a storm, thunder and lightning rule the heavens demonstrating God’s power and reach, creating in us fear and wonder. We get only a sense of God’s pervasive majesty, a sense of the marvel of creation, and we are left awe stricken. Who can imagine the all-encompassing creative force that lies behind everything? We are at a loss for words and concepts that adequately convey God’s omnipotence. We can only humbly submit this far-reaching love.
Stars twinkle on the pitch canvas of the night-time sky intimating to us only an incomplete perception of infinity and timelessness. We cannot even wrap our minds around this reality. That the Triune God existed in perfect harmony before the establishment of these entities speaks of a pervasive goodness, that which imbues its guidance over all of humanity. We see, we ponder, yet we are left speechless. We can only humbly submit to the imperfect sense of a love that lies behind everything.
A gnarly growth of wood with leaves patterned amidst other similar growths presents in us a sense of beauty. That we can even experience an awareness for beauty is a bit of a miracle. God, in his infinite wisdom, places this in us. Beauty is the imprint of God on all creation. The pleasure that it brings is a gift, a sign of God’s tender mercy. We experience instinctively, yet cannot fully appreciate the foundational necessity that lies behind everything. We can imagine that God is a gracious gift-giver, that he is good, but true understanding alludes us. We can only submit to the love God has in store for us.
We sense that peace, harmony, justice, respect, and kindness are admirable things. We experience that love and connectedness are pleasant and good. Yet our perspectives and personalities sometimes hinder and get in the way. We think that if we could only muster enough determination to get it right, all would be well. But rationalizations about self interfere. God sees our plight and has compassion. He knows that had he not revealed himself in the story of Israel, then in its fulfillment through Jesus Christ, we would be left floundering and groping in the dark. But Jesus’ life and teachings are light, evidence that God graciously cares. He has mercy on our circumstances, the same for Adam as it is for us, and everyone in-between. He established that our ultimate wellbeing would not be dependent on our successes, on us somehow getting it right. Yes, this is love, an example to which we can aspire. Humbly submit to such profound love. Know up front that we cannot embody it perfectly; just embrace it and take the next step.
Don’t imagine, like some, that peace, harmony, justice, respect, kindness, and love lie somewhere out there beyond even God, making him only a director or governor rather than King. Conversely, don’t imagine that these principles are arbitrary, as if God randomly imposes his will upon the world. For, in the beginning, God existed. Then, God created. He creates out of his abundance, and everything reflects his character. He is peace, harmony, justice, respect, kindness, and love. So it is that everything follows. Could it have been any other way? That question diminishes the pervasive existence of God, his sovereignty, and his absolute power. It simply is what it is, and we can be thankful, humbly submitting to this force of grace and love.
As to answers of which we can only get a sense in this fallen world, we trust that it is going somewhere good evidenced by Christ’s resurrection. For those whom believe, heaven awaits. There, in God’s perfect presence, we will not so much as have a bad thought. Glory will be revealed; and that as a gift! But this world beckons. We have life today, and in the moment all things are provided. We have just what we need to be successful. Remember, life is a privilege. That God set our souls for eternity at conception is more evidence of his goodness. Surrounded by the marvel of creation, we bask in his light and absorb vitality and joy. And we humbly submit to God’s extravagant love.