Incomplete Creation (7/18/25)

I watched my 4 ½ year-old grandson make his “creation”, giving him affirmation when he repeatedly asked, “Grandpa, is my creation beautiful?”  

To someone who just saw the jumbled disordered pieces of colored paper and tape mushed together in a three-dimensional blob, this might have looked like something ready for the trash bin.  But to me, as I watched my grandson carefully tear paper and tape, arranging them in a way that to him had an order and beauty, and to him, evoked a rainbow, it was indeed beautiful and wonderous. 

I was observing the image of God in my grandson.  Just like his creator, he desired to create.  And he wanted me to enjoy the creation with him.  

When God created the universe, he said it was good, but he didn’t say it was complete.  God has given us an example of being a creator, and has placed within us his image, which includes the desire to create.  He gave us creation so that we could be its steward, so that we could be creative.

I suspect that much of what we have done does not look beautiful to God.  But God sees our intent.  I suspect that if our intent is correct, despite the appearance of our creation, he might well be pleased with us!

I also wonder about how displeased he must be with the mess we have made of his creation.  He knows our underlying intentions, the mixed motives of pride and selfishness, with hopefully some thread of altruism.

Does God see something beautiful in what we are doing?  What I am doing?

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