Snowflake
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it. —Psalm 139:14 (NLT)
In 1885, Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley was the first person to ever photograph a snowflake. It is from his research that we learned as children, that no two snowflakes are alike. Bentley captured over 5000 pictures of intricate snowflakes, finding each one to be unique. In 1925, Bentley commented on his study saying, “Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Each crystal is a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated…”
Snowflakes, at times, are underappreciated. On their own, they are simply a combination of water vapor, ice crystals and dust. They often are clumped together with other snowflakes and go unnoticed separately. Yet, when you take the time to stick out your hand to catch and examine an individual flake, its beauty is noticed. This is exactly how God made you. You are a special and unique piece of work. There is no one else just like you. You are more than dust and water. In each person, God invests His own workmanship. A unique and beautiful creation, a work of art, if you will, is the result.
In addition to understanding that we are each unique and beautiful creations of God, it is also important to appreciate others. They, as well as you, were made for special purposes, not simply to be a part of the crowd. Often we are our own worst critics, criticizing and putting ourselves down at any time of the day. Don’t confuse your voice for God’s. When you take the time to look, the unique beauty God created will stand out.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What does it mean to you to be made in the image of God?
2. What are ways that you think of yourself differently than the Lord thinks of you? Why is it easier to believe what you think about yourself?
FURTHER READING: Genesis 1:27-31; Psalm 139:13-16; Matthew 6:25-34