TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• A stranger delivered some unsettling news yesterday. It turns out, a man in Minnesota recently plagiarized an article I wrote in 2018. The person who notified me said they would want to know so they felt compelled to find me. After expressing my gratitude, I found the man in question on Facebook, as well as the article he took. I introduced myself and told him that I am always willing to share my work, but I do expect to be given writing credit. I also reported him to Facebook for copyright violations, but he’s since blocked me. Who knows how or if this will be resolved.
As a writer, this kind of thing is very frustrating. I spend hours writing and pouring myself into my work. Most people have always been respectful of asking permission before using my material. Still, except for a viral article I wrote in 2014, this is the most flagrant disregard for my work that I’ve ever experienced. It’s not that it’s a piece that I’m particularly attached to… or even my best work. Honestly, I had pretty much forgotten about it until this stranger brought the issue to my attention. Mostly, it bothers me because it’s something personal that I created that was taken without permission. It’s a violation not only of my time and the years I’ve spent working on my craft, but it’s a violation of my very thoughts. I would have happily shared it… Or even been okay if he’s written “Author Unknown” on it because I know sometimes, bylines fall off or get lost. But he let other people believe they were his words. And that’s not okay with me.
The very act of creating is something we do because it’s ingrained in us. Deeply. It’s another reflection of how we are made in God’s image — He is the Creator of all, and we share in His desire to create. Whether it’s creating through our words, through a paintbrush, through music, through food, whatever it is — we long to create something. You don’t have to consider yourself an artist in order to be a creator of something. Some of the most creative people I know can’t draw a stick figure!
So why does this matter? I think, for me, it’s a reminder that God’s work belongs to Him. And we have to respect it. It’s more than the earth, though we should certainly do our part to take care of it. It’s about loving His people — the other created beings who share our planet and whom He made in His own image. It’s also about preserving and respecting His rules; His will; His ways — as the Creator, He is the one who establishes order. And even protecting the truth of the Gospel — and accepting the words of Jesus as absolute truth about who He said He is.
The world — and everything in it — is God’s intellectual property. He spoke the world into being (Genesis 1), and He set the boundaries for the sea (Jeremiah 5:22). As it is written in Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
And that’s what it all boils down to — all things were created THROUGH Him, and FOR Him. God said, in Isaiah 43:21, “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” We are His creation, made to worship Him.
We get so focused on our dreams and ambitions that we forget to turn to our Creator and let Him guide His creation! But when we do — oh, goodness! When we do, the Potter can do great things with the clay!
Today, as you pray, thank God for being your Creator. And pray the words of Isaiah, “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and keep you malleable in the hands of your Creator.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
One Response
Thank you for your wonderful posts. I look forward to them every morning.
This is one reason I do what I do—God created our bodies and entrusted them to us. We are to care for our bodies as the residence of God, the Holy Spirit! What a wonderful gift.