After I shared the article, I received questions such as “Does God always design His creations correctly? How about children who are sick, disabled, or mentally ill at the moment they are born?", "Haven’t some people got a better starting position for example born in a rich family? Isn’t the likelihood for success depending on the circumstances in which you were born?" These questions have thrilled me to write another piece of reflection.
The Book Genesis Chapter 1:24-31 (NIV):
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.
25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.
25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Before we discuss further about God’s designs, let’s read the following passage from Genesis 1:24-31. In the biblical account of creation we read how God made everything, He looked at everything he made and found it very good (Genesis 1:31). In the case of humanity, we read that God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:27). In other words, God always makes everything in a good condition, no matter what, He does not know how to make bad designs.
The next question is, what the proof that God’s creations are good. Years ago I attended a seminar about whether creation based on Bible is true or just a fairytale. During the seminar one of the discussions was that our solar system demonstrates remarkable evidence of intelligent design. If taken separately, each object and its characteristic are highly improbable by random chance. When taken together, the probability is so small as to be impossible—by random chance. For example: the Earth where we live, until now is the only planet that has living creatures. The composition of Earth’s atmosphere and the distance between the Earth and the Sun need to be precise, if it is not, then it is impossible that Earth can host billions of living creatures. We must admit that we are a product of a miracle—either a miracle of chance or a miracle of design; and all of these amazing designs are created by a Divine Creator, God.
Continuing to the subject of those who are born sick, disabled, or mentally ill - it seems that it contradicts with my statement that God designed humans with a potential to be a winner, because they seems does not as competent as a normal healthy person. I disagree that it contradicts with my statement. I believe we have seen a lot of people who are disable that had achieved a lot in their life. You can see people winning in the Paralympic Games, or Got Talent Shows. Or if to name an inspiring person, Nick Vujicic. He is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, causing him has no arms and legs. Although it may not be easy for him to live as a disabled person, you can say that he has achieved a lot in his life, maybe more than an average normal person.
Answering the previously asked question if people born in a more fortunate condition have a better starting position. Isn’t the likelihood for success depending on the circumstances in which you were born? I would like to start my answer with the following illustration: When someone is asked, "Why do you have a curly hair?" He would answer "My parents and grandparents had curly hair, so I have it too". However, if he was asked why he is poor, people would laugh if he said “My parents and grandparents are poor, and genetically we are poor”, because everyone knows no matter how poor our parents and grandparents were, we are given opportunities to improve our condition to a better one.
If opportunity arises once, it could be luck, if twice, coincidence. If third time, then it is a pattern. Luck is great, but I believe that most of life is hard work. Let's look at most of the success and well known people, such as, Thomas A Edison, President Jokowi and Jack Ma etc. These people were not born in a wealthy family and yet they achieved a lot. On the other hand, I had seen examples where people who were born rich but unable to continue their parents’ business, because they did not work hard and incompetent. You can predict how they ended up being.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) – "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.
To sum up, I believe God never make mistakes in His designs. The human body is the most complex and unique organism in the world, and that its complexity and uniqueness reveals the mind of its Creator. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cells, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). Although, in some situations they may not seem perfect on the surface. We have a finite mind, which cause us impossible to understand everything about the infinite God (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, in our worst situation, God is always in control and promise to be by our side to the end, so never lose hope to fight and achieve what we are intended to. Keep going… Just like what Dory said, “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”. ^_^
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
Edited by: One of my smartest students: Joceline Geulista (Grade 10th, Beacon Light Community School)
