Dear Beachside Family and Friends,
The most famous painting in the world resides in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it is the main attraction. More than six million people each year file by the iconic Mona Lisa, a portrait whose eyes and mysterious smile appear to follow its' admirers. Untold millions have seen it, songs have been sung about it, and aspiring painters continue to study this intriguing work of art creased more than 500 years ago.
This beloved and influential painting did not fall from the sky or appear out of thin air, nor did it somehow teleport here from another dimension. It owes its existence to someone who existed before it. The Mona Lisa was created by an artist, and its' presence in the halls of the Louvre is a constant testimony to the existence of the one who created it, the scientist, engineer, sculptor and painter Leonardo Davinci.
Davinci himself understood that Someone Higher created human beings, just as he himself created art and machines. He wrote "rejoice that our Creator has endowed us with such an excellent instrument as the intellect." The proof of Leonardo Davinci's existence is in the things that he created that remain until this day. Every individual that observes the smiling Mona Lisa is observing proof of Leonardo's existence.
We can apply the same thought process to prove the existence of a Personal God. The apostle Paul wrote " For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense." (Romans 1:20) The creation itself, the world and all that is in it, proclaims that God exists. Psalm 19:1 declares "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship." As Davinci is known by his existing works, even more so God is known by His.
The beauty of the Father's works is beyond compare. The earth and all its' fullness, the expanse of sky and space, the oceans and their pathless depths all inform us of the Creator. We observe His handiwork every day. He made everything we see and called It good, yet He still lacked one piece to finish His masterpiece mosaic. He needed someone to enjoy it with.
On the sixth day of creation He formed Adam out of the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. He then formed Eve around Adam's rib, blessing them, and walking with them in the garden He made specifically for them. He created them in His image and purposed that they would fellowship with Him. Even when they rebelled against Him, He sent His Son Jesus to deliver their descendants out of the thralldom of Satan. Humans are the most beautiful of all God's works, and He willingly paid the highest price for our redemption.
Jesus fully understands the value of mankind, for He is both man and God. He told the people "It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’ And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. (John 10:34-36)
Just as the Mona Lisa is considered Leonardo Davinci's most famous and enduring work, we are the Father's highest, most beautiful, and enduring creation. When this earth and all that is in it passes away, we will still be around to enjoy the new heaven and new earth God promises to create. It will be infinitely more beautiful than the planet we currently enjoy, but we will still be the most blessed and important creation in the eyes of our Father. Our existence proves His existence. We are created in His image to enjoy what He has made and do miraculous, god-like things for His glory. He made us and filled us with creative power to do far more than create amazing works of art. The power that created the universe lives in us. As His children, let's use the power we have been given to do what Jesus did: heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. We have freely received, now let us freely give! (Matthew 10:8)
Pastor Ramon
