What is the purpose of creation?
According to Genesis, while God was creating the heavens and the earth and the waters and the dry land and the daylight and the darkness, he also created Adam. But he thought Adam looked lonely. So he made critters for him. Then He realized the animals didn’t really fill the void in Adam’s life, so He created Eve.
I think God gave us all of creation for our enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfillment. But I don’t think He intended for us to idolize any of it. He wanted us to look at all this cool stuff around us and to be reminded of Him, the Creator.
Take The Mona Lisa, for instance. It’s an interesting work of art, to be sure. Great hosts of people visit the Louvre in Paris every year in order to see it in person. But they know the Mona Lisa didn’t paint herself. Leonardo da Vinci did. She is his handiwork. He gets all the glory for how wonderful she is.
Henry Van Dyke penned the words to “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” in 1907. His second verse hits the nail on the head:
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and Heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
We see this concept in the New Testament as well.
And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Luke 19:39-40 RSV
Make no mistake about it. God thought we would enjoy all the things He created. But he wants us to worship Him as a result.
LORD, thank you for creating the earth and the sky and the sun and the moon and the stars and the mountains and the waters and the plants and the animals and the people. It is all so fascinating. Help us to be mindful of your creation this week and to quickly give you all the praise and glory for its perfection.
Amen!
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