My life changed that day. I had prepared a visual feast for my Sunday school class. I loaded books on mountains and waterfalls, colorful birds and fish, animals from every continent, galaxies and snowflakes into boxes in readiness for the next morning.
Just as a funny thought, I asked the Lord if He had anything to add. I did not really expect an answer; I thought I had covered His creation well and I was just doing a lesson. But He did answer me. I heard, "All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). I then saw Him bleeding and struggling on His way to the cross. I went to the floor in tears and worshipped Him.
I had never put Genesis 1:1 together with John 1:3. That puzzle piece changed my picture. Jesus was not just a nice Savior who died on a cross to forgive my sins so that I could go to heaven one day. I had never thought about Him as a scientist, musician or chef. I didn't dwell on how much imagination it took to create our world or how much artistic ability it took to decorate it. I didn't know that I couldn't live without light.
That day was nearly 40 years ago. I still have a difficult time comprehending it all. Why would such a Creator come to this tiny planet to walk the dusty roads of Galilee, teaching fishermen, zealots, tax collectors and prostitutes about His kingdom? Why would He allow Himself to experience hunger, weariness and pain? Those preparing Him for crucifixion spit on Him, pulled out His beard, stripped Him, scourged Him with a whip and mocked Him as king of the Jews. Like He told His disciples, He could have called for legions of angels to help Him, but He laid His own life down-for us.
Paul prayed for the Colossians by asking God to fill them with knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they could live a life worthy of the Lord. He asked that they could bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [they] may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who qualified [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints [believers] in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued [them] from the dominion of darkness and brought [them] into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:11-12).
I wish we could sit down together in front of a warm fire and talk about this. I could bake some snacks and brew some tea. What do you see about the value of your own life?
What happens in a kingdom of light? Can you imagine what your community would look like if everyone loved God and each other?
A few months ago I recognized that I was nearing the finish line. I had run the race for decades but now I needed to focus on finishing well. I decided I needed a love project. My Father and I could work on it together. I wanted to walk in love every day in every situation.
It was fun at first. The Holy Spirit gave me direction and new ways of relating to people. Then it got a little harder; situations arose and I started focusing on my hurt feelings and insecurity. Then it got worse. I started rebuilding walls.
These are not dangerous situations. Some of my friends need a fortress to keep them safe, but I'm not in that situation. This is a lack of love issue. I need to come back to the beginning. No one deserved respect, honor and love more than Jesus; yet He gave that up for us. The One who spun the galaxies, perfumed the flowers and flavored chocolate allowed Himself to be mocked and spit on. Surely I can overcome a selfish heart-with His help.
Sue Carlisle grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. An enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, her passion is to encourage people to look at creation and see our awesome Creator. Sue is author of Walking with the Creator Along the Narrow Road (see https://www.indianlife.org/product/walking-with-the-creator-along-the-narrow-road/). She and her husband, Wes, now live in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
