April 27, 2010

Back to Our Maker

Excerpt from Psalm 100 (KJV)

Know ye that the Lord is God: it is God that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are God's people, and the sheep of God's pasture.

Reflection by Kenneth L. Samuel

When I am particularly frustrated with the complications and vexing annoyances of life, I am encouraged to remember that my life is not a product of my own manufacturing or maneuvering. The bottom line is that I am not a self-made individual. The origin and the essence of my life are in the hand and in the will of my Creator. While I try desperately to take my life where I want it to go, it strengthens me to know that God is my source and my supply.

We would do well to remember what some of us teach our children: "God made me, and God doesn't make junk!" In fact, according to the book of Genesis, all that God makes is good and very good. Isn't it refreshing to know that at the basis of everything we do in life there is the good work and the good will of our good God? And is it not up to us to make sure that our daily actions reflect the goodness of our maker?

And even if life for us today is not as good as we believe our maker intended, is it not good to know that our maker is also our redeemer? Isn't it good to know that nothing that we or anyone has done or will ever do can erase the basic goodness of our lives? No matter how troubled, torn or tormented we may be, our lives have basic enduring, eternal value and goodness. There is nothing wrong with us today that cannot be redeemed, rescued and renewed by our Creator!

There is such a thing as a manufacturer's warranty. If something is broken, and not performing as designed, don't try to fix it all by yourself. Take it back to the one who made it.

Prayer:

"Come ye disconsolate; where 'ere ye languish. Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded heart; Here tell your anguish. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal."