June 26, 2015

God is God and I am Not by Marnie Pohlmann

"In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.”  

This introduction to God in Genesis 1:1 speaks volumes about who God is. We see how very big God is – he is before time and he is outside of space, even space we have not yet discovered! What strikes me most, though, is this first description of God’s character.

God is creative.

God spoke our world into being.  Can you imagine how much fun God had making our world?
His panoramic vistas take our breath away.
The breeze blows invigorating scents from a myriad of flowers to captivate our attention.
The instincts of The Cat that Walked by Himself (Rudyard Kipling) or the antics of monkeys give us hours of enjoyment.  
God used words to create all we enjoy. When God declared, “It is good,” I believe he was expressing not only his pleasure at what he created but also his pleasure in creating. 

Scripture has many passages that tell us about God’s character, and what characteristics we can develop to be more Christ-like. God says, “Be holy as I am holy.” When I read those lists, I have to admit, the closer I feel to God the farther away I realize I truly am. Developing the character of Christ is difficult! 

However, when I write, I feel at least one godly characteristic is alive in me – the creative character of God, and I feel his pleasure in the creating. Even when what I write does not seem to be of any value, or needs more editing than the energy I want to give, I still find contentment in my efforts. Time and space limit my words, but when I leave my desk from a period of writing, I leave with a sense of accomplishment, because I feel connected to God when I write.

For some of us, the call to write is strong even though we may fight that call and leave our writing in pursuit of other activities. When we are obedient to that call we feel God’s approval. Yet approval may not be the same as pleasure. God’s pleasure in us is not based on any action we take, but is fully encompassed in who He is. 

I am reminded of the Casting Crowns song, “Who Am I?” that states in the chorus,
“Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done;
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are.”

God takes pleasure in me not because of what I do or do not do, but just because I am. He created me, from my innermost being, and he sees as beautiful even the foibles that make me so unique. His creation of me is “very good,” as he stated when he created mankind. Yes, God knows me with all my faults, yet he still really does take pleasure in me, and enjoys spending time with me.

When I write, I feel God’s pleasure. 
When I don’t write, I also feel God’s pleasure. 
I am able to feel God’s pleasure because God is God and I am not.

God takes pleasure in you, too!



Photo credits:  
watch, flowers - pixel.com 
writing paper - kaboompics.com

Song:  Who Am I - https://www.castingcrowns.com/music/lyrics/who-am-i 

Book:  The Cat That Walked By Himself by Rudyard Kipling - http://www.amazon.ca

4 comments:

  1. Marnie, you struck a chord this morning with me. God created us in His image so is it any wonder we enjoy 'creating', whether it be with pen, computer, paint, food or whatever. Still, "God’s pleasure in us is not based on any action we take, but is fully encompassed in who He is." Thanks for that reminder.

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  2. I'm so glad the Creator created us to create--and to feel His pleasure in doing so. He is so Good.

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  3. "When I write, I feel God’s pleasure.
    When I don’t write, I also feel God’s pleasure."
    Thank you for this, Marnie. I will be repeating it to myself all summer. Feeling His pleasure when I DON'T write instead of feeling guilt for not fulfilling the "call to write" in any given moment is so what I needed to hear right now.

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    1. Once again I was preaching to myself, but I am glad I am not alone in needing to hear this over and over. God loves us!

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