Creatively Designed

Not long ago, I was sitting at my job where I work as an archives assistant and was compiling information from various, sometimes conflicting, sources into a spreadsheet. The task was a needed step in a long process but was mentally arduous, and were I to explain in detail what I was doing, most people would likely shudder at the seeming drudgery of it.

Press pause on that scene and jump to a few weeks later when I was getting to know some international students most of whom are in the United States studying some form of engineering or computer science. They are passionate about what they are studying—and good at it too—but no matter how much enthusiasm they have, I find I can’t muster up any great manner of excitement for fields of study such as these that are completely over my head.

Then this past week, I was running to catch the elevator at work (if you’ve ever used, i.e. waited for, the elevators in said building, you’ll understand), and a student kindly held the elevator for me. During our brief encounter, we began a conversation that included his mentioning he was studying all day. I inquired the topic of his studies, and he answered, “Calculus,” to which I wrinkled my nose and expressed my condolences. “Eh, it’s not too bad,” he replied. “I like it pretty well.”

Now let's go back to my office . . . The student's response in the elevator is similar to what mine would have been had someone asked me what I was doing at work every day. “Bleh. That sounds so boring,” they might say. But it wasn’t boring to me. Okay, yes, sometimes it made my brain hurt and seemed like it would never end, but I knew the purpose behind what I was doing. And I could see as I was working how my organizational skills, attention to detail, and general appreciation for making order out of chaos were making it possible for me not only to perform the task but to enjoy it.

And as I sat at my desk that day those weeks ago, my mind and heart erupted in worship of the Creator God who gave me particular interests and the bent to be able to perform the duties necessary in the work field of my interests.

You see, that’s the common thread through each of the vignettes that opened this post—people who are specifically interested and gifted in vastly different areas. I’m sure there are some jobs that nobody feels particularly drawn to or talented in, but in my experience so far I never cease to be amazed at the wide variety of occupations that exist and the way that there are individuals who are so perfectly suited to them.

What a comfort it is to know that there are engineers and mathematicians out there; economists and artists and medical professionals of all specialties; musicians and scientists; film-makers and attorneys; farmers and authors and mechanics; ministers and teachers; accountants and architects; librarians, soldiers, and carpenters—the list goes on and on.

Have you ever stopped to consider the immense creativity God has displayed in the way He has designed each of us, how He has instilled in different people different talents for different purposes? We often think of Psalm 139:13-14 as verses that speak to the value of life in the womb, and rightly so, but do we recognize that we are just as wonderfully made as adults?

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV).

Our infinitely wise Creator did not just design our bodies; He crafted our personalities and granted us talents for His glory and our good—whether we recognize it or not. But oh how sweet it is when we do.

In one sense, we can look at our own individual lives and praise God for the fearful and wonderful way in which He has made us, but we can also lift our gaze to the sea of humanity present and past and marvel at the beautiful creativity of our God. We are each wonderfully designed, and look how many designs there are!

Sit and soak a moment in the knowledge that each and every design originated from the mind of God—then like a saturated sponge, let that knowledge be squeezed out into praise for the One that is infinite in His creativity and has displayed His designs for all to see. What a beautiful God we serve!