Epiphany

In my sermons yesterday I used the verse quoted to the wise men about Bethlehem: 'Out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people Israel.' I spoke about how a shepherd looks after the sheep, and why, but not in great detail.

As I was thinking about God as shepherd, I wondered why God values us, his sheep, so much. I don't think it is because we meet his needs (for someone to love, for someone to appreciate him, or whatever) - I'm sure he could get by without us! Deuteronomy 7:7,8 tells us he loves us because he loves us. It struck me that there is an appreciative side to God that really enjoys the results of his creativity, especially us. Not in a possessive way that won't let us make a mess of stuff, or even reject him completely; he wants us to use our free will, and loves it when we freely choose what is good - especially when the odds are stacked against us doing so.

It struck me also that our own creativity is part of being in the image of God, and that God wants us to enjoy being creative, however limited our abilities. And he wants us to enjoy other people's creativity - it's a godly thing to enjoy a good performance or story or whatever!

Maybe appreciating God, and appreciating other people, and appreciating the good things of life, is nearer the heart of spirituality than I thought...