Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you. (Isaiah 42:5,6 ESV)
Gifts and Love
When it comes to gifts, my intentions are always grand. But experience has shown that I am not a great giver of gifts. Either I am wrong in my assumptions, or I am lazy in my application, or I am short of resources, or I simply choose poorly.
My gifts do not usually measure up to the depths of my love.
But God IS a great giver of gifts!
Isaiah describes the gift of creation and connects that gift to God’s love of His people. He chose us, He makes us righteous, He connects with us, and He keeps us. That is a pretty good description of God’s love.
While the gift of creation is not the ONLY gift God has given, it is a good place for us to start. Look at the wonders of the night sky, and you can see how big His love is. Look at the awesome Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, Great Prairie, Gobi Desert, Rocky Mountains, Mt. Fuji, or the Matterhorn, and you can see how extravagant His love is. Look at the intricate ecology of a rain shower, winter’s storms, and the cycles of predation, and you can see how detailed His love is.
Whenever love seems absent, consider God’s gift of creation everywhere. Whenever love seems impersonal, consider God’s gift of creation in your backyard. Whenever love seems only a promise, consider God’s gift of creation right over there. Whenever love seems like something everyone else has, use your telescope, plant a seed, listen to birdsong, and laugh at a platypus.
Creation sings God’s love.
Take the love God grants us.