One of the things I enjoy about being in the mountains is talking with people who are enjoying God’s creation.
Night before last we had another amazing sunset! Last night, we talked with several people who were remarking on its beauty. “Did you see that sunset, it was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen?” And they would go on from there. One man we met is a professional photographer and he had been out one night photographing the Milky Way; he said he loves being up here where there is no artificial light to spoil the night sky.
I’m sure, as we were looking at the spectacular sunset God was too. I can just hear him saying, “Now that’s a good one. I hope they enjoy it.”
“ God said, “I command lights to appear in the sky and to separate day from night and to show the time for seasons, special days, and years. 15 I command them to shine on the earth.” And that’s what happened. 16 God made two powerful lights, the brighter one to rule the day and the other to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 Then God put these lights in the sky to shine on the earth, 18 to rule day and night, and to separate light from darkness. God looked at what he had done, and it was good. 19 Evening came and then morning—that was the fourth day.” Genesis 1:14-18 CEV
God looked at what he had done, and it was good! Oh my, yes.
Good…I can find so many more adjectives in describing the sunset than good but then I’m not God. That was the phrase that struck me this morning, as I began to write. He called it good. Just good.
But when He talks about us He is much more eloquent.
“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, 10 “Once you were nobody. Now are God’s people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.” I Peter 2:9-12 CEV
Special…chosen…royal…holy. A beautiful sunset is good but we are special, chosen, royal and holy. WOW! To know that God thinks about me in those terms is overwhelming. When I look into a mirror I tend to see my flaws and imperfections but that’s not what God sees. He sees me as valuable and precious.
“Then the Lord All-Powerful said: You people are precious to me, and when I come to bring justice, I will protect you, just as parents protect an obedient child.” Malachi 3:17 CEV
Through the years I have learned that what God says about me holds greater value than what others say about me or even, what I say about myself. His opinion is the one that matters and to Him, I am precious!
The beautiful sunset is good but I am precious and so are you!