So I was reading about Creation today, trying to better understand why God would even bother to create us. Some say He's a tyrant who just wanted some pawns to play with, others say He didn't do it at all...and then there's what I believe.
Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.
~Isaiah 43:7
This entire chapter is a very intimate portrayal of God's love for Israel and mankind. However, the phrase "for My glory" caught me off guard. Initially I thought, "Hmm, sounds like an artist who creates solely for accolades and compliments".
But in prayer, I thought about it more.
Why do we "glorify" anyone? If we uphold a politician, celebrity, writer, family member, friend...anyone up for glory, it's because they have enriched our lives or inspired us to reach beyond our present state. You may disagree on the value of their contribution, but the fundamental principle is that we admire what they've got and believe it could benefit us too.
So here's how I look at it. God knows all and is all. He understands the greatest joy and the most satisfying fulfillment. If you were in His position, would you keep that to yourself? If you have joy in your life, you can't help but share it. So that's what He did. He created a world of perfection, so that Adam and Eve might experience His joy with Him. So when He says that "I created for My glory", He's speaking of the inevitable thankfulness that anyone who experiences that same joy will "glorify" Him with. It's thankfulness for His risk, thankfulness for His generosity.
Does our current state negate what He did at Creation? Not in my mind. For we still have glimpses of the supreme joy that He promises. A baby's smile, true true true love, friends that stick closer than a brother, vistas that rob you of your breath...and ultimately we're promised the fullness of His joy in heaven.
I think God deserves a little glory for that.
artwork copyright Joe Tucciarone
