He challenged Job and his companions, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!” (Job 38:)
And as He speaks out of the whirlwind, God continues to question Job.
Asking Job how he, in his humanness, could possibly know the details of creation such as when mountain goats give birth, who gave the horse its strength and flowing mane and the eagle its flight, and sends lightening bolts on their way?
God’s speech captivates.
The extraordinary poetry broadcasting His magnificence and power.
Radiating with His passion for creating. And His abiding love for all of Creation.
It is almost as though God has a set of paints, and rather than creating tidy, neat little pieces of art, He elects to use His immeasurable imagination to paint masterpieces. Filling each canvas with bold, wild, colourful strokes.
Bursting with pure joy as He creates. Utterly exhilarated by His cleverness and ingenuity.
Absolutely delighting in every single creation.
Even the creations, which to us may seem inexplicable and unconventional. Like the hippo. The crocodile. And the ostrich.
“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,
though they cannot compare
with the wings and feathers of the stork.
She lays her eggs on the ground
and lets them warm in the sand,
unmindful that a foot may crush them,
that some wild animal may trample them.
She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;
she cares not that her labor was in vain,
for God did not endow her with wisdom
or give her a share of good sense.
Yet, when she spreads her feathers to run,
She laughs at horse and rider” (Job 39:13-17).
The ostrich has wings and feathers, but cannot fly. She can give birth, but neglectfully abandons her eggs to the warmth of the sand. She can outrun the horse and rider, but she has no wisdom.
The ostrich is such a brilliant, ingenious blend of both strengths and weaknesses.
Created to be an original.
How beautiful this is.
That God lovingly creates each being, each one of us, to be as unique.
Each with our own exceptional, complex blend of strengths and weaknesses.
So that we are distinctive. Extraordinary. And incomparable.
Five Minute Friday Prompt: Fly
Photo Credits: Jonas Kaiser (lightening), Matthew Meredith (ostrich) from Unsplash
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CarolJune 9, 2018 1:12 am
The book of Job has so much rich imagery. I enjoyed how you focused on the ostrich and then commented on each individual’s “unique and complex blend of strengths and weaknesses”. Amen.
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 9, 2018 3:23 am
Hi Carol, thanks for commenting and for your encouraging comments. I totally agree with you – the Book of Job is full of rich and beautiful imagery. And I particularly love the imagery of the ostrich! And all that it teaches us about God’s love of creation.
Wendy L MacdonaldJune 9, 2018 5:39 pm
Hi Anne, thank you for the lovely post. I am also a huge fan of God’s original artwork displayed across our planet. Our Creator and His creations are amazing.
Blessings ~ Wendy
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 9, 2018 6:51 pm
Hi Wendy. Thanks for your encouraging comments. I am delighted that the article spoke to your love of God’s artwork and creation. He is amazing! Blessings.
VeronikaJune 11, 2018 4:38 pm
We are all unique. Very insightful post. ❤️
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 11, 2018 5:45 pm
Thanks Veronika.
BaileyJune 12, 2018 12:06 pm
Such vivid and awe-inspiring imagery. Thank you for drawing me to marvel at God’s creativity and power
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 12, 2018 3:08 pm
Hi Bailey, I am delighted that the post drew you to the marvel of God’s creativity and power. I have been taking a course in my seminary program that focuses on the OT and the Book of Job. God’s speech at the end of the book is such awe-inspiring, beautifully written poetry. It amazes, and leaves one breathless at God’s wild and imaginative creativity. The speech teaches us that we cannot ever fully grasp all of who God is, and why things happen they way they do. Oftentimes, there will be no explanation for why life turns out as it does. Or reasons given for why He creates as He does. Just that God simply delights in creating and He passionately loves all that He creates.Thanks for your encouraging comments.
Heather HartJune 14, 2018 1:32 pm
I absolutely love the book of Job. God’s words are like a balm to my soul, and such a magnificant reminder of His strength, power, provision, and love.
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 14, 2018 2:11 pm
Hi Heather! I also love the Book of Job. When the opportunity came up to study Job as one of my OT seminary classes I jumped at the chance. It has been such a blessing to spend the semester studying it – spending time in the beautiful poetry and narrative and be constantly reminded of God’s majesty, power, creativity. And how He provides and protects us even when we are walking through suffering. Thanks for commenting!
YvonneJune 14, 2018 7:01 pm
Loved the imagery and beauty within your words. Thank you for sharing and may God bless you
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 14, 2018 8:24 pm
Thanks Yvonne for visiting The Stones Call and for your encouraging comments.
Melissa HendersonJune 14, 2018 8:32 pm
God continues to amaze me everyday. His creations and wonders are truly a blessing to behold.
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 2:55 am
Melissa, you are so right! God is an amazing and imaginative creator! And we are so blessed to be a part of His kingdom. Thanks for your comments.
BrittanyJune 15, 2018 12:52 am
This is great! God definitely creates each of us to be unique creatures with individual strengths and weaknesses. We need to remember that when we begin to compare ourselves to others. Just as the ostrich is not the same as the stork. We are all humans but not exactly the same. Each of us has our own beauty.
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 3:02 am
Brittany, I love your comments! YES! Each of us has been created to be so beautifully unique, each with an original, complex mix of talents and weaknesses. And that is something worth celebrating!
Melinda Viergever InmanJune 15, 2018 1:54 am
Thank you for this poetic reminder of God’s creativity! I love the comparison with these unique animals and with each of all, no one exactly like another. What an artist our God is!
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 3:04 am
Melinda, Thanks for your comments and for visiting The Stones Call. God is truly an amazing artist isn’t he?
Melinda Viergever InmanJune 15, 2018 1:54 am
Thank you for this poetic reminder of God’s creativity! I love the comparison with these unique animals and with each of all, no one exactly like another. What an artist our God is!
Nancy E. HeadJune 15, 2018 2:42 am
Love this insight! A blend of strengths and weaknesses–how so like us–as you say. Very nice post! God bless!
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 3:05 am
Thanks for visiting The Stones Call and for your encouraging comments. Blessings.
Edna DavidsenJune 15, 2018 1:05 pm
Hi Anne!
“BEAUTIFUL, INEXPLICABLE, UNCONVENTIONAL CREATION” was a great read.
Yes, sure God’s speech captivates. The story of Job is compelling and contains many perspectives on life. I was uplifted by reading this, and it was a gentle reminder of how we are all unique in the eyes of God.
God bless!
Edna Davidsen
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 2:56 pm
Edna, thank you so much for visiting The Stones call and for commenting! I am delighted that the post resonated with you. God so lovingly creates each one of us and every living thing – to be beautiully unique, with a complex blend of gifting and characteristics. What an amazing Heavenly Father! Thanks! Blessings.
Karen FridayJune 15, 2018 1:13 pm
Beautiful post, Anne. The imagery of creation and how God paints a picture “worth a thousand words” never ceases to move me. And your quite the word-smith too.
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 15, 2018 2:49 pm
Karen, I really appreciate your encouraging commnents. Thank you so much. I too am deeply moved by God’s amazing capacity to create and innovate. I especially love being in nature for that reason – to just marvel at the way the light moves through the trees, the various hues of greens in the forest, and the diverse plant forms and birds in the air. It is such a great reminder of how God loves to create and how He has created things to be interconnected. Blessings!
Marcie CramseyJune 16, 2018 1:45 am
I like the point you make about the ostrich having strengths and weaknesses. Surely we, as humans, can relate. We are not gifted at all things, but a few. But collectively we make the whole world a beautiful tapestry of God’s handiwork. Lovely post!
Anne Mackie-MorelliJune 16, 2018 3:19 am
Marcie, I really appreciate your comment about how we are each created with some gifts, that when they are collectively woven together create a beautiful tapestry. A tapestry that reflects God’s love of creating. Blessings.
Alynda LongJuly 22, 2018 10:55 pm
Anne,
Your writing is so lyrical and lovely. His creation is the ultimate muse, isn’t it? When I open my eyes to the splendor, it takes my breath away!
Anne Mackie-MorelliJuly 22, 2018 11:18 pm
Alynda, thank you so much for your encouraging comments and for visiting The Stones Call. Yes! When I consider the splendor of God’s creation it takes away my breath as well!