Fingerprints of God

Cleaning out a closet recently, I came across a tightly taped box the contents of which haven't seen the light of day in almost thirty years. It contains handmade artifacts from my pre-school period: a wooden desk block with a name plate inlay, a plaster of paris mold of my small right hand, and an impressionistic finger painting, initialed by the self-proclaimed "prodigy" himself. I recall proudly presenting this work to my father, who chose to readily compliment the bold, sweeping strokes and dramatic use of color… vivid sea green, vibrant indigo, rich brown and a dollop of jet black, all set against a deep blue sky. My mother, taking a different view, gingerly turned the oversized page vertically (despite my mild protestation), smiled, and then effusively praised my accomplishment – “what a beautiful horse!” Unwittingly, I had rendered the picture-perfect profile of a majestic stallion, windswept mane flowing freely for fingerprint posterity. Every child in the class was given the same tools, but we each brought our own creative vision to the cardboard canvas. In similar fashion, God has wonderfully designed us (Psalm 139:14), thus while sharing commonality in human form, we can bring glory to Him via our unique individuality (John 14:13). We are a masterpiece in the hands of an unerring craftsman and when we live our earthly lives in obedience, our true value is revealed. Without question, we are the priceless work of an Awesome Artist (Psalm 19:1) and, no matter how we interpret it, His fingerprints are all over us.