The Creating of Us
Throughout the years, I have enjoyed baking with my grandchildren. The cakes are usually made for special occasions and shared by the entire family. I always want my “grands” to feel they “created” the cake, so I only help on special occasions. If the directions were followed precisely, the cake was bound to be a wonderful expression of their work. When they were much younger, many times egg shells were dropped into the mix and baked right in. As it was baked, the cake smelled wonderful and the grands ran into the kitchen asking if it was ready.
When the cake cooled, they iced it, which covered a multitude of issues. After our family meal, the cake was served. As the family bit into it, there were crunches heard around the table. Everyone would smile in order to not hurt feelings. The adults would not say a word until one of the grands would pronounce the mishap. Then laughter would fill the room and I would bring out a cake I had baked earlier. Now they have grown older and we have fewer mistakes.
We have many gifts and talents that were ordained as we were being formed in the womb. I can just picture God putting a little dab of this, a dollop of that, a pinch, a smidgen, touches here and there, and adding lots of love. He then mixes it all together, bakes it for nine months, and presto out comes a beautiful creation pleasing to His eye.
“I will praise you because I have been remarkably made: marvelous are the works; and that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14 CSB).
Now this beautiful creation is not only for Him but for others as well. His beautiful creation is to radiate, and when it does it is extraordinary. The fragrance draws from everywhere. Yet, the beautiful creation and aroma can bring out the good and the bad. First the sniffers come. The sniffers just stand and enjoy the aroma and gaze at the creation. They don’t really do anything but make noises as they sniff. Along with this creation, flies may come. They buzz around and around, seeing where they can light. Some are swatted away, and others land. Next come the finger lickers. They come out of nowhere and slyly take a swipe at this creation. No one sees it, but it is felt. Lickers will take until this beautiful creation slowly erodes. But what if a beautiful glass encasement is placed over and around this beautiful creation? No flies could attack, no lickers could swipe, and no sniffers could make those annoying noises.
When we, as believers, are using our gifts and talents, we are that beautiful creation and the sweet fragrance of Jesus that beckons. The more appealing we are, the more the enemy tries to dissuade us from using our gifts. He comes in different ways to take what is precious away. Negative comments are the sniffers. Insecurity, rejection, fear, and jealousy are the flies. Wishing you had another’s gift because it looks better are also flies. Your attitude can become so downcast, it slowly eats away who you are created to be. These are the lickers. As beautiful creations, we need to take a firm stand on our inheritance. We must place a glass covering around us, which are the scriptures, and be what the Lord created us to be.
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of His glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18 NKJ).
We are to be prepared each time that glass encasement is lifted, and the aroma (our love, talents and gifts), must smell so yummy we will be ready for the good and bad.
As I think of us as these beautiful creations made by His perfect directions, I realize there will be “crunches” heard in our lives when we make mistakes. This is where we come alongside one another with support and encouragement in love. Not one of us is viewed lesser than the other with our gifts and talents God gave us. In every relationship we are being used with our unique sweet aroma of love, talents, and giftings by the Lord. Maybe you don’t see it, but others watch His beautiful creation’s aroma.
Let’s bow and pray:
Lord, I know you created me to be that special someone to others. Help me not to allow the lickers, sniffers, and flies to take away my sweet aroma of You. Your design of me meets all Your expectations and I thank you for putting a dab of this, a pinch of that, a smidgen, and lots of love mixed together. Keep me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on You. Amen.
