Just A Mistake?

Osteospermum - African Daisies

The May two-four weekend just passed us by; and the perfect combination of sunshine, a long-weekend, working from home, and a greenhouse full of plants meant record-breaking sales at the farm! Like a hose, an endless stream of annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and bags of soil flowed out, ushering in the beginning of spring. I had the pleasure of working the till and feeding my social soul greeting and serving our customers and guests. This also meant that I had front row seats to flowers of every colour, shape and size come through - osteospermums (african daisies), calla lilies, fuchsias (image on left) and portulaca to name a few of my favourites.

Each of these flowers are unique and different, even amongst the variations of each kind (I don't even know how many kinds of marigold we carry) and I couldn't help but be in awe of God's magnificent creation. Consider how they grow, their little characteristics that distinguish them from one another. God could have made just one or two flowers to cover the earth, but rather, he designed it not only that there would be thousands of different kinds of flowers and plants but each with an intricate wealth of genetics that would allow for variation in unimaginable ways. That is our creative and gracious God, providing us with an overflow and an abundance to enjoy, all for the praise and worship of his name. It is evident in the wonderful remarks we get from all the plant-lovers and gardeners that have come through our greenhouse.

JOB 12:7-10 - "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind."

Yet, so many have decided to attribute all of creation to evolution, a theory that reduces the complexity and beauty of life to a mere, millions-of-years game of chance. To think and believe (by faith may I add) that all the diversity on our planet came from a goop of elements that also themselves had no origin (?). This belief system is classified under "science" but the origin of life can't exactly be observed or experimented on. Furthermore, and more importantly I might argue, it is the rejection and denial of God. The ascription of nature to evolution (or dare I say the worship of evolution) takes away the glory and honour the Creator rightfully deserves. Not only that, but to deny the existence of the Creator God removes all moral accountability. If God doesn't exist, then we are welcome to do what is right in our own eyes. If we're all just walking molecules that "evolved" over millions of years, why does morality matter? What does the evolutionist stand on when making claims of right and wrong? Unless all morality and truth is relative, which then, well nothing really matters...

JEREMIAH 8:9 - "The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?"

Portulaca - stunning pompoms of colour

But come back into the greenhouse with me and consider the flower varieties once more. Humans have been at work, cultivating these plants and in doing so, there is an ongoing mixing of genetics to produce brighter, more brilliant and colourful plants that are more desirable. We play with genetics in our vegetables to enhance flavour or sweetness, to adjust texture or size - but behind the playing is an intellectual and intentional mind with purposeful design. There is a goal, there is a designer and there is an orderly method in going about it. We don't haphazardly smash plants together and suddenly expect a new beautiful variety that will sell. Even if it was a "mistake" - it can only operate within the natural order (not chaos or chance) that God has put in place.

As we welcome spring, as you pick up your bulbs and budding plants for your garden, as you enjoy and browse through the endless varieties of tomatoes or potatoes at the grocery store - consider this; is the life and world that you observe, enjoy and experience come from the gracious hand and the intelligent mind of a Creator God, who personally formed you and I (who we are then accountable to)? Or is it all simply a cosmic mistake?

PSALM 139:13-14 - "For you formed my inward parts, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well."

The truth is that you were created by a holy God, in his image, to know him, to love him, to live with him and to glorify him. But because of our sin, we cannot dwell or fellowship with a holy God. Our sin demands a payment, a penalty, and God in his great mercy gave up his only Son Jesus Christ to die in your place, on your behalf to pay the debt that we owe and deserve for our sin. Why? To redeem and reconcile those who repent and believe to Himself, that they may know, love, live with and glorify God. Make no mistake, you are no cosmic mistake, rather you are known and loved by the Creator of the Universe, and though He doesn't need us, He desires to be in sweet everlasting relationship with you for your good and His glory. All creation points to the Creator. Do not reject the Him, do not despise His word, but return to the Lord and believe.