What do you see when you look at the dark sky of night? Where we live there are only a couple of street lights so the night sky is undisturbed by artificial light. Watching the constellations unfold and reveal their beauty is awe-inspiring.
In the beginning, God saw the glorious heavens. There was nothing there, the Bible says the world was without form, it was void of substance but God saw something beautiful. He saw life. His words created what was in His heart, much like an artist creates an image on canvas. He created the stars and the planets, the sun and moon. His words created the land and the seas and all that lives in and on both.
In the beginning, God saw us and He created man, male and female. He created us in His image.
“Then God said, “Let Us make man like Us and let him be head over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every thing that moves on the ground.” 27 And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female. 28 And God wanted good to come to them, saying, “Give birth to many. Grow in number. Fill the earth and rule over it. Rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “See, I have given you every plant that gives seeds that is on the earth, and every tree that has fruit that gives seeds. They will be food for you.” Genesis 1:26-29 NLV
From the very beginning God’s plan was to provide for us. Earth had everything we need for a good and prosperous life. All that He created had life in them – the plants and the trees had the ability to produce life through their seeds. The animals had the ability to repopulate and so did Adam and Eve. God saw us and He had a plan.
When man sinned and sin separated him from his relationship with God, God had a plan of restoration ready to implement. He didn’t give up and start over.
“But God had loving-favor for everyone. He had Jesus suffer death on a cross for all of us. Then, because of Christ’s death on a cross, God gave Him the crown of honor and shining-greatness. 10 God made all things. He made all things for Himself. It was right for God to make Jesus a perfect Leader by having Him suffer for men’s sins. In this way, He is bringing many men to share His shining-greatness. 11 Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.” Hebrews 2:9-11 NLV
We were always on God’s mind and in His heart. These verses are part of the prayer that Jesus prayed right before He was arrested, put on trial and crucified:
“Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.
20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.
22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.” John 17:15-23 CEV
When we look into the mirror, what do we see? Do we see someone whose nose is too big or their chin is too small? Do we see someone who fails to measure up and whom others see as insignificant?
God, our loving heavenly Father, looks with us into that mirror and He sees someone who was created in His image. He sees someone who has His loving-favor, His grace. He sees someone that Jesus isn’t ashamed of; He sees His sons and daughters. He sees someone who is one with Him.
The mirror we use in looking at ourselves is distorted, like those mirrors at the carnivals. They amplify our failures and shortcomings. But look at what God’s sees. He looked into the nothingness before creation and saw it all made perfect, including us in our relationship with Him.
“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. 29 God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30 God planned for them to be like his Son. He chose them and made them right with him. And after he made them right, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:28-30 ERV
When we look at ourselves in God’s mirror we will see ourselves in the right light, the light of forgiveness and restoration, the light of love.
So, let me ask again – what do you see? Look into the Father’s eyes and you’ll see His love!