Walking back from work today, I decided to harass a tunnel spider who had built a web in the evergreen bush along the sidewalk. Though an unusual activity for me — for I despise spiders — I couldn’t stop myself. After several minutes of mind games, coaxing the spider out of its lair with faint jiggling of the web, I started to actually look and marvel at the web. Despite being horrified by the spider itself, the web was intricate and amazing and all of those typical adjectives people have used to describe spider’s webs over the years.
Just like last week, when I stopped to study the large flowers by the library and breathe in their scent, I marveled at God the Creator.1
With the spider, however, it made me realize that not only did he make such wonderful things, but he also made creations that, in turn, could create.
Like the spider. Like you. Like me.
Such second-generation creating, making something from nothing to start with and then setting it off on some kind of creation fractal, is amazing beyond the seemingly simple surface comprehension. I have, as an artist, often taken great comfort that the first verse in the Bible reveals God as Creator; though he has many aspects and characteristics, the first we learn of him is that he creates.
I left the spider alone, walked home, and picked up a paintbrush.
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1 I understand that some of my readers will take issue with this statement, depending upon personal beliefs. That is fine. I’m not here to argue the ins and outs of evolution and creation, nor the manner or method of creation. Even if you do not hold to my faith and belief, I trust that you are still able to appreciate and enjoy other literature and writings by authors with opposing beliefs. I do, however, want to leave you with a rather humorous video, regarding belief.
