“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

When I read through Colossians 1:15-18, I was reminded of how different God is from me.  He is the great creator (v16). He is supreme over all things (v17). He is the head of the church (v18). Because he is the source of all things, he lacks nothing. He has no limitations and no deficiencies. He is complete in every way and doesn’t require anyone or anything. That is why I felt a bit confused when I read the end of verse 16 which says, “...all things have been created through him and for him.”

I started to wonder, ‘Why did God choose to create me? What’s in it for Him?’  Yet, the Scriptures say that He created us for Himself.  This caused me to sit and ponder this seeming contradiction. 

Then God brought to my mind a memory of when my first child was born. I remember the doctor putting him in my arms. With tears of joy in my eyes, I looked down at him adoringly with a heart that couldn’t love anything more. He looked like his dad. I loved my sweet baby so much even though he couldn’t give anything back to me except for love. He was weak and totally dependent on me. But when he smiled at me or cried for me to take him into my arms, it gave me pleasure.

I think that’s why God created us too- for His pleasure.  He doesn’t need us to be fulfilled or whole, but he wants a relationship with us. Because God is Love, he desires a relationship with the ones that He loves. It’s not that he needs our love, but he knows that we need His. That’s why his love (actions) are not based on feelings or what we do.  Rather, God’s love is just a natural outpouring of who He is. We are his children- created in his image. We are weak and dependent on Him for everything we have. We don’t have anything that we can give back to Him, except for our love, but that is what God desires.

So, I encourage you to look upon God not only as the supreme ruler of the heavens and the earth but also as your loving Father- the most perfect, sinless, omnipotent, forgiving, grace-giving father who created you for himself.  What greater hope could there be than to be cherished and loved by the most loving and important being in existence?

Lord, I praise you because you are the most amazing, powerful, and holy God that holds everything in the universe together. It’s unthinkable how you not only love me but also call me your friend (Psalm 8:5). This gives me such peace inside and allows me to have hope that no matter what happens in the future, I know I will always have you.