What We Are Made Of
Every morning, I look out the window at the tall, old pine tree in my front yard. The sun’s warmest glow of the day reflects and refracts off the collected dew, causing jewel-like needles to dance in the breeze. I think to myself, “I can’t believe how beautiful this is!” It is easy to be in awe of the beauty that is nature. We don't need to be friends with a tree to look at it and say, “It is good.” We just…do. But with people, we don’t do this as often. In our daily routines, we don’t recognize the miracle that we are each here. We aren’t looking at strangers in awe. Realistically, we tend to default to making assumptions and judgments.
As we learned in basic biology, all living things are made up of cells. A cell is a microscopic unit that has been called the “building block of life.” They are responsible for nutrient uptake, energy processing, and structural support. Cells have intricate systems that work together to sustain life. Trees are made of billions of cells, and there are only about 3 types. Humans have trillions of cells, and there are about 200 types! We are arguably the most complex organisms on Earth. Why are we so complex? All of life is meticulously orchestrated by God’s hand. Trees have a job. They produce oxygen, and they may even produce delicacies like fruit. Arguably, trees are also home to animals and filter water. However, doing so is not additional work for the tree. It just has to “be” to accomplish these things. People, we have many jobs. The Word says: “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16 ESV). People have also been commanded to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28 ESV). They have been called to be in relationship with one another: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV). They have been called into a relationship with the Father: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4 NIV). We have some of the most important jobs. They aren't easy, straightforward tasks. We are not like the tree that produces the oxygen, and that is “the job.” We are rooted in relationships with one another and the Lord. This is where many of our intricacies stem from. There are complex tasks for complex beings.
What if we started looking at strangers with the appreciation that God has for them? What if we loved in the way God loves us? After all, we learn in Genesis that He created man, and He declares all of His creation “is good.” More so, what if we gave more grace to loved ones? Imagine if offering forgiveness and understanding were our first instinct. Life as a human is unpredictable, trying, complicated, and beautiful. God equipped us with the power of love. The Bible says, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ESV). He also equipped us with minds and bodies that carry out remarkable tasks. Recognize that every person was masterfully constructed with the cells designed by our Creator. You may start to see all people as God sees them: worth life, worth love... Good.