Megan and I were out running errands the other day and as per usual it was taking us way longer than expected. Hobby Lobby had managed to eat up most of our afternoon and we were left running to finish our necessary errands exhausted. The couch and our shows were calling our names; we only wanted to get home. As we started to drive home, we began to see the sky changing colors, like a magnet pulling us to the bay. As we pulled into the parking lot the sun was slipping below the horizon. We both jumped out of the Jeep and ran down to the shoreline to find a gap in the reeds so we could see. The sun was brilliant pink, and the clouds tried their best to mirror the majesty. The bay was like glass reflecting the pinks, golds, and blues. We took pictures trying to capture this moment, and yet even with the technology we have now, it paled in comparison. I posted the pictures online with the caption, “God’s handiwork needs no filters.” As I typed these words a small voice whispered, “All of My handiwork?”. Over the last week, this question has been tumbling around my mind with stubborn persistence.

I’m shocked by all the filters available on the different apps. I think my kids have tried all of them on me. I’ve been old, a boy, a Barbie, bug-eyed, a beauty queen…it’s quite impressive. The problem with filters is that they show a distorted version of the truth. The beauty filters are my favorite, I look younger and like I spent hours getting ready versus just rolling out of bed. But it’s not real. Now when I see pictures of people or places I wonder if that is reality or filtered.

In Corinthians, he talks about how we carry the treasure in jars of clay. Back then jars of clay would be like our plastic containers. When you find it in the fridge with a science project growing in it you don’t take the time to clean it, you chuck it. My family lately has been the epitome of “jars of clay”. Both of my kids appear to have been blessed with my genetic malfunctioning genes. I keep trying to find the right filter to make this all look good. I keep tweaking and turning things over and over again. Photoshopping my will and understanding into the picture. Zooming in to inspect every little pixel, finding no clarity there, I try to zoom out to see if I can see the big picture, only to be overwhelmed with all the information. All the while, the verse, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus…” keeps running through my mind.

“God’s handiwork needs no filters.” Maybe this has been my problem. I’ve been trying to apply filters to my life. I’m trying to make sense of the science project that my life feels like, but God sees it as a treasure. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Treasure. Not science projects but treasure, to be valued and cherished. He is trying to use our lives to show His power. God is going to show His power through my afflictions, this is the “filter” I need to be looking at life through. I don’t have to have all the answers, I will be perplexed and that’s okay. Even during persecution, I will not be alone. Each time I get struck down, it won’t destroy me because God’s power is greater.

God grant me the ability to see science projects as Your treasure. To see your power in the midst of what appears to be chaos. To trust that You are lovingly creating something beautiful to bring about Your glory and, in the end, it will be for my good. That You are watching over my loved ones and will not fail them, just like You’ve never failed me.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17