Creative Coworkers With The Almighty

June 29, 2006 - 8:24am

It’s not hard to find creative energy at work in our world. If you want a real challenge, try to find a part of creation that is static and dead. Try to find something that is not in flux and actively working with God to create reality. Everywhere you look you will find creation in all of its forms, both living and nonliving, working to create the world in cooperation with God.

Every tree grows with compounding, fractal surprises. Branches split and bend toward the light. After a few divisions and turnings, the various possibilities of form are so numerous our minds cannot count them all...

Click here to read the rest of this essay at The High Calling.

rlp

Submitted by enz on June 29, 2006 - 8:38am.

fractal surprises... lovely

Submitted by Anonymous User on June 29, 2006 - 10:13pm.

F**k you preacher, this nearly articulates the realization of the nature of god that I experienced a fortnight or so ago. Of course your piece assumes that god exists now...

Submitted by Anonymous User on June 30, 2006 - 4:11am.

I recently read an article about how a group of genetic researcher scientists are now discovering that your surname can be traced through DNA. There are apparently similar genetic structures present in DNA that while unique are common in people with the same last name. Jones DNA has simlar characteristics to other people name Jones. I find the same is true for those who are children of God. There is a spiritual genetic structure in the lives of those who have been bought with the blood of Jesus that single us out from others. Even nature reflects this in its makeup. You have to be a hard-hearted fool not to admit to it, because any dummy like you or me can see it.

Submitted by Anonymous User on June 30, 2006 - 7:57am.

You wrote, "A young man decides to go to dental school instead of joining a family business. His Christianity leads him to be a loving presence of Christ with his patients, many of whom have been afraid of dentists in the past. And sometimes he ministers to poor people in a free clinic on the border of Mexico. Clearly his dentistry has become a ministry."

Does that mean his work isn't a ministry until he goes on a dental mission trip to Mexico? It sounds like once he is volunteering his time at the free clinic, he is in ministry. But as long as he charges, that's not ministry.

Submitted by rlp on June 30, 2006 - 4:14pm.

No - "his Christianity leads him to be a loving presence of Christ with his patients... AND (the "and" is big so don't miss it) sometimes he ministers to poor people..." Clearly his dentistry has become a ministry. For both reasons. I felt that was pretty clear. In fact, I went out of my way to make it clear that his daily work was his ministry.

Submitted by Anonymous User on July 3, 2006 - 11:01am.

It was clear, RLP. Sometimes church makes me feel like my work is only a ministry when I use it to serve the church directly--either teaching the youth group or helping with choir or going on a mission trip. I guess, I just wanted reassurance that you weren't giving us a variation on that theme.

Maybe I am so used to hearing an idea from preachers, I have trouble hearing anything else. Even when they say something else.

Submitted by Calliope on June 30, 2006 - 10:31am.

This grabbed my heart today RLP. I needed the reminder that even when things don't seem to be 'working right' in my life God's awesome creation continues to unfold. His grace nourishes all (even those who think they don't want or need it)Thank you!

Submitted by Anonymous User on July 1, 2006 - 7:23am.

All work is honorable, and no matter what you do you for a living you can reflect your faith and give glory to God.

Submitted by Broken Messenger on July 1, 2006 - 2:40pm.

Gordon,

This article portrays you as completely content in Christ as he has led you and as you now serve him. What a wonderful piece, Gordon and how great it is that you can be content in your circumstances. Indeed. To God be the glory.

Brad

Submitted by Mark Goodyear on July 3, 2006 - 11:03am.

Best of all, I love the poetry in this piece. Thanks for always inspiring us.

Submitted by Alice in Wonderbread on July 3, 2006 - 6:05pm.

It's inspiring words like this that make even us agnostics believers. :) What a beautiful peice.

This is the kind of thing to read when you're questioning your existence at 2AM and cannot stop your brain from spinning. Great work, preacher.