Do you know that when God fashioned the earth, sun, moon, and stars, He did it all for you? He was thinking of you when He created the trees, flowers, and all kinds of fruit and food. It is no accident that the first humans, Adam and Eve, were created only after everything else was in order. Let your heart really soak this in: when God set out to design the world, it was you He had in mind…
Take, for instance, a husband and wife looking forward to starting a family. Even before they learn they are expecting a child, they begin to dream about what their child will be like, start putting extra money aside, and excitedly talk about what name to give their child. Then, still long before the child is born, a room is cleared out, safety features are installed on outlets and cabinets…linens, furniture, and plush toys are carefully selected and lovingly arranged. Bottles, bibs, and perhaps a rocking chair are brought home; ready for the moment their child arrives. Everything is put in order before the child arrives.
As much as one couple may plan, prepare, and dream about their new life with a child, it pales in comparison to how carefully your Father in Heaven, who purposely conceived you first in His heart, set out to prepare a place for you. But it goes far beyond your earthly home, which He designed in perfect order, complete with everything you would ever need. Yes, God had far more in mind than a temporary earthly home when He created you. Ever since the creation of the world, God has been preparing a home for you in Heaven, far greater than anything you could ever imagine. But how do we get from here to there?
Just as a mother endures a painful childbirth to bring her child into the world, God was willing to endure the horrendous death on a cross in order to open the door to Heaven, a perfect, holy, and eternal home prepared just for you. Jesus said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved.” and, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you…” John 10:9, 14:2-3 NIV
Have you put your trust in Jesus’ death as your passage home, to an eternal home with God in Heaven?
“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy…[and] decided in advance to adopt us into His own family…through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT
“But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 NLT
Shadia, well said!!!!
I have such a hard time configuring this into my mind. . .if God made so much for me, then He made just as much for the next person, and 7 billion other people. Because I can’t grasp the omnipresence and omnipotence of the LORD, I don’t understand how He could have made all of this for me, when He actually created it all for you, or that other person.
There is also the aspect of putting other people first. So to think God has made something so grand for me seems selfish and self-centered. How do I truly appreciate His gift (of creation) and understand His thoughts about me, while sharing the gift and knowing He wants the same intimacy with others?
Just thinking out loud. . .
I love your insights! Ultimately, God created this world for us to recognize Him, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Psalm 19:1 But only those who acknowledge Him and humbly accept His gift of salvation will spend an eternity with God in Heaven – our ultimate, permanent home.
When Jesus died on the cross to make it possible for us to enter Heaven, He did it with NO GUARANTEE THAT ANYONE would accept His gift….so whether, you or you plus 10 million others accept God’s gift, He still would have done it all just for you.