Your Kingdom Come: God’s Heart for Diversityናሙና

Day 2 - We are expressions of His Creativity

Of all created things, only humankind has been made in the likeness of God; our intrinsic worth directly connected to Him as we are all diverse expressions of His creativity and carry His likeness. “God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them” (Genesis 1:27). 

Every culture tries to dictate beauty, ascribing greater worth to those with certain characteristics. These contained definitions express limiting narratives which devalue many people and elevate particular features. But God sees things differently, in His sovereign will and creative nature, He chooses to make every person unique. On average, 250 babies are born every minute worldwide – their skin colour, eye colour and sex, the texture of their hair, the shape of their eyes and the size of their nose – each distinctive combination chosen by God not random appointments of genetics. 

“For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvellous are Your works, and I know this very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). He sees the beauty in diversity so we must believe the same otherwise we deny the beauty of His workmanship and reject His sovereign decision to make us different.

 Our value was placed on us when the Father knitted us in the womb and breathed His breath in us, our worth expressed when Jesus died at the cross for us and our dignity revealed as the Holy Spirit rests on and abides in us. David marvels at the work of God’s hands, in awe of His intricate design and God is pleased at the sight of HIs creation. For He gives beauty to the peacock as well as the flamingo, the rose as well as the sunflower and to you and well as to me. This is us church – each one planned, crafted, purposed and valued by our sovereign Creator.

Reflection Points

• Read Psalm 139: 1-18 over yourself and bask in the love God has for you
• Ask God to reveal the beauty and worth He places on you and those who look different to you
• Take some time to marvel at creation today and celebrate the beauty in nature or humanity