It rained most of last night. Evidence of this showed when I opened the living room drapes. How fascinating to be greeted with sparkles of water drops caught on tree leaves. As the breeze moved them, the sun shone and twinkles of white, red, yellow and green glistened.
What a brilliant display! Just like thousands of Swarovski figurines. All bouncing back the beauty they contained. Like a night sky with pinpoints of stars shining.
I check out the lawn. Sure enough. Water resting on blades of grass joined the trees in the silent symphony of sight.
Strange. I don’t remember seeing a display of color and sparkle in a puddle. Perhaps it has something to do with droplets losing their individual identity. Sort of like mobs.
Who were the individuals that convinced Aaron to make a golden calf so they could have a visible god? (The miracles of Egypt’s plagues and the parting of the Red Sea were forgotten.) Who were the individuals in the group of people waving palm branches of welcome on the road to Jerusalem? Who were the individuals that cried out, “Release Barabbas and crucify Jesus”?
Much has been reported in the media about “Identity Thief”. The emphasis is on the economic side. Devious characters watch and record numbers punched in ATM machines. Then they move in and clean out the bank accounts.
But this also applies to other areas of life. Internet predators seek youngsters to rob them of their childhood. Politicians with hidden agendas seek unsuspecting voters. Spouses and parents degrade, molest and exploit family members in order to feel their own importance and power. Mean words and hateful attitudes whittle away another’s value, self-respect and dignity.
Identity thief brings shame and disgrace. But, more than that, it attacks the One whose image we bear–God Almighty.
How comforting and freeing to recognize that, if we reverence God, esteem His name and serve Him, the Lord of Hosts sees us as a treasured possession, a jewel (Mal. 3:16-17).
Just as the angle of sunlight shows various colors in the water, so our circumstances reveal different qualities in us. Placed in the hands of our Image-Bearer, we, too, can sparkle like His diamonds, blessing the Artist, ourselves and others.
Our identity is based on our heavenly Father. No one or nothing can change that except ignorance or forgetfulness.