Sunday night a winter storm left everything in our area glazed in ice. Yesterday the sun came out at last. By late afternoon our slick country road finally cleared enough to be safe, and we left the house in search of a cure for our cabin fever stricken children.
In spite of blue sky and bright sunshine ice still clung to the trees. As we drove down the freeway light from the sun just beginning it’s decent into the West bounced and reflected off the ice on the branches. The trees twinkled like they were lit with strings of tiny white Christmas lights.
The sight was breath-taking. This is God’s handiwork, a demonstration of his creativity I thought. Did he appreciate the beauty of it too? Did he send the storm to paint the trees crystalline so he also could enjoy the late afternoon glow of the ice and sun?
Then I thought of all the havoc the storm caused. Driving conditions were hazardous. People lost electricity, and were suffering in the cold. Schools were closed. The ice even made walking down your front steps dangerous. The gorgeous sunshine melted much of the ice, but it also left mounds of gray slush to freeze again when it was dark forming new icy patches on the roads.
It was a mess.
A beautiful mess.
But a mess just the same.
And God was the creator of this ice that was both lovely and treacherous.
I wonder if this is what God sees when he looks at us?
A beautiful mess.
We’re a mess because of our sinful, imperfect nature. Yet the Bible says we were created in God’s image. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
It says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14
He created us because he desires a relationship with us, and he pursue us relentlessly even when we turn our backs to him. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:7-8
God loves us unconditionally. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
God sees the beauty in our mess.
Sometimes my life resembles that gray slush. I let the storms of life get to me. I let my sinful mess get the best of me. Sometimes though I get it right. I listen to God. I allow him to work in and through me. Like ice in sunlight, I sparkle in the Light of the World, his son Jesus Christ. How that must please God.
Like the storm God created us knowing our potential to make a mess. He loves us anyway, because he sees beyond the mess. He sees the potential we have to shine. He seeks to help you shine. Won’t you let him?
Photo Credit: FotoDawg – Used under CC license.
Was just talking about how much the Lord loves us at bible study this morning. We are studying Mark and continue to see through the Gospel how much Jesus has mercy for us. Its beautiful!
Beautiful words and gorgeous picture, Colleen! Did you take it?
@Debbie S., Thank you. I wish it were my picture. It’s a Creative Commons photo from Flickr. There’s a photo credit with a link to the photographer above.
Oh duh. I see the photo credit now. I’m used to hovering on the pic or looking just below it. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing such a lovely post.