INSIDE MAR Editor’s Letter

I understand that for most who are familiar with that idiom, it has become nothing more than a cliché. But I’m not talking about literally smelling roses, although that would be a fun thing to do because roses smell so nice.

When was the last time you stopped what you were doing long enough to look around and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation? It’s all around us—the sun, moon, stars and clouds that fill the vast expanse of the sky, to the mountains and valleys, beautiful glaciers, oceans and seas. But so much of our time is spent attending to the busyness of life that we don’t take time to enjoy and appreciate—to “smell”—all that God has given us.

In Psalm 8:3-4, New Living Translation, we read, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

What are we that He should care for us?

Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” The NLT says it this way: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God looked at His creation of the moon and stars, the mountains and valleys, the oceans and seas—everything He had made—and saw that “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). He looks at you and me, who are made in His image and likeness, and says the same thing: “You are ‘very good’”!

So the next time you stop to look at God’s creation, look at yourself, as well. You are His masterpiece—one of His roses— and you’re well worth looking at. He is just as pleased with you as He is with all His creation—even more so!

Ronald C. Jordan Managing Editor