May 26, 2016

If I were a butterfly,

I’d thank You, Lord, for giving me wings;
If I were a robin in a tree,

I’d thank You, Lord, that I could sing;
And if I were a fish in the sea,

I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee;
But I just thank You, Father, for making me, me.
 
For You gave me a heart and You gave me a smile,
You gave me Jesus and You made me your child!
And I just thank You, Father, for making me, me.

God makes us human. God’s Word is what makes us human. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Almighty Maker of the universe and Lord of history, He created us human. “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people” (Psalm 100:3). “Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:5). “Your hands have made and fashioned me” (Psalm 119:73a). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10a).Sunday School had it right. What makes us human? It’s not what we look like. It’s not what we can do. It isn’t when we were born or where we live. It isn’t laws or choices. It isn’t research or arguments. It isn’t feelings or beliefs. It’s not what we interrupted or how we came about. In fact, like we learned from Abbott and Costello, we won’t know “What?” until we know “Who?” What makes us human is a Who.

Not only has God made us human, He also makes us holy. His Son’s incarnation and His Spirit’s forgiveness are what make us holy. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things … For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers … to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-17). “[Y]ou were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God… Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you … for you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:11, 19-20).

And God makes us heavenly. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Created, redeemed, and called; human, holy, and heavenly. Thanks be to God!

The Butterfly Song (If I Were a Butterfly) – Words and Music by Brian M. Howard – Copyright © 1974, 2002 Mission Hills Music – www.ButterflySong.com – All rights reserved. (BMI) International copyright secured. Used by permission.