“Nature is the Art of God”

Dante Alighieri

The magnificence, beauty, and artistry of the Creation points to a God who is more than an eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient being. He is indeed all of that. And more. His creative genesis, through Jesus Christ, is also evident in what He has made. God is creative. It is a part of His nature. And creation flows naturally from that.

A good writer can craft a captivating tale and draw us into the story. A good artist can produce a painting that will inspire us with its beauty. And a gifted musician can lift our spirits or calm our sorrow. How do they do that? It is not something that they learned, although training may have enhanced that ability. Instead, it comes from within them. It is a part of who they are. Their art flows naturally out of what they are.

I believe that is true of God and His creative nature. He creates, not because He must, or because He receives any benefit from it. But because it is who He is. It is in God’s nature to express Himself in and through creation.

And so why did God create the universe and humanity? He has no needs that could be satisfied by the creation, or by humanity. Instead, I see it that the Creation is a gracious act of a creative and loving God, done for our benefit. God created because of who He is, and for the benefit of those He created. God created us out of His grace and as an extension of His goodness.

When we come to know and love Jesus Christ, we understand who we are and the reason for our existence through His Creation. We were made in His image to love God and bring Him glory.

And ultimately, God created us for a magnificent purpose—to have an eternal relationship with Him.

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