Who is Jesus?

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together,” (Colossians 1:15-17).

As I sit here on the balcony of the loft apartment I rented on Airbnb listening to the bird sounds and kids playing in backyards while staring at the Swan Mountain Range to the east as the three-day rainfall finally ends and the sun tries peaking through the clouds with the beginning of eventide, I can’t help feeling contentment and peace knowing My Creator also created my current view.

The past seven days have been some I will never forget. I have been traveling with my children visiting areas in and around Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park. While the trip has been somewhat eventful at times, I can’t even begin to describe our experience, the awe-inspiring sights we have seen, and the immense joy it has brought me.

From snowy mountain peaks to crystal clear lakes, the greenest forests to firsthand encounters with wildlife, breathtaking sunrises to the exciting rush of waterfalls, hot springs of rainbow colors to unimaginable mountaintop views…how anyone could doubt the hand of God in such things is beyond my comprehension. Moments like these should remind us that creation didn’t happen by accident, despite what others may claim. Every mountain peak, every flower, every heartbeat speaks of a Creator who is both powerful and deeply personal.

While God is everywhere and in everything, being in these places with the ones I love the most has given me a greater appreciation for the adoration and purpose and perfection behind the Creator’s work. I’m not just talking about the gorgeous scenes of nature I’ve been surrounded by this past week, but even more so the beauty, uniqueness, and awesomeness that are my children. I revere and praise the Lord every day for the blessing of being their mom. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward,” (Psalm 127:3).

Furthermore, some of the most important creations I feel we tend to overlook are ourselves. The Lord’s creations include you and me as well, and that is a beautiful thing worthy of our gratitude. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book, before one of them came to be,” (Psalm 139:13-16).

One thing I hear preachers say often is this: “If you’re still here then God still has a purpose for you”. This may seem so simple and obvious, but it’s also very true. Every single one of us was formed by the Creator with intention…”everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made,” (Isaiah 43:7).

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so,” (Genesis 1:27-30).

Even more amazing is that not only were we physically created by the Lord in the womb, but for those of us who are Christians and have been saved by the precious blood of Jesus, we have been made a “new creation” spiritually through Him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Therefore, as new creations, we have been given new purposes by the Creator. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light,” (1 Peter 2:9). 

Jesus explains our mission and calling in Matthew 28:19-20:  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Paul further describes in Scripture the importance of our works and attitude in fulfilling the purpose of our creation. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10). “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved,” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Many people think of Jesus only as the Savior who came to earth, but Scripture reveals something even more incredible-Jesus was there in the very beginning. Before Bethlehem, before the cross, before the world itself existed, Jesus was creating. He spoke galaxies into existence, designed the delicate wings of butterflies, painted sunsets across the sky, and formed humanity with intentional love.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made,” (John 1:1-3).

The same hands that stretched out the heavens would one day be stretched out on a cross. The Creator willingly became part of His creation to rescue us from sin. “…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe,” (Hebrews 1:2). What amazing love!

Sometimes we look at our lives and see only broken pieces. We wonder if our mistakes have ruined God’s plans or if our circumstances are beyond repair. However, the Creator specializes in bringing beauty from chaos. In the beginning, He spoke light into darkness. Today, He still speaks hope into weary hearts, peace into anxious minds, and purpose into lives that feel lost.

Nothing you have faced surprises Him. Nothing is too difficult for the One who made the stars. If Jesus can create the universe from nothing, He can certainly create something beautiful from your life. He definitely has done so with mine, and I am forever grateful to Him. He’s still creating beautiful things in my life…growing my faith, producing memory-making opportunities with my kids, increasing wisdom, building new and strengthening seasoned relationships with others…I could go on and on.

Today, take a moment to notice the fingerprints of Jesus all around you and even on you and your life. The gentle breeze, the laughter of a child, the blooming flowers, the endless sky-they all whisper of a Savior who is still creating, still sustaining, and still working in your life and in mine.

If you have areas in your life that feel unfinished or broken, invite Jesus, your Creator, to shape it according to His perfect design. Trust that the One who created the world has not forgotten you, and strive to live up to the beautiful creation that you are.

“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things,” (Ephesians 3:7-9).

Have a blessed week!

-Becky