Elohim [1], Lord of heaven, summoned the angel Gabriel to his craft studio. The latter winged his way down the hallways of paradise and soon entered the Master’s presence.
He found Elohim hunched over his work table, pouring over design sheets, but he looked up as the grand angel entered.
“Gabriel!” boomed Elohim. “Thank you for coming so quickly. I need to discuss with you my plans for the human race before creating Adam and Eve.
“It’s important you know these plans since you’ll play an important role in the coming world.”
Gabriel stood erect and folded his wings in precise pleats. “I am your servant, Lord, ready to do your bidding [2].”
Elohim smiled. “Thank you, Gabriel. Now—here’s what I’m thinking. First, you’ll remember we’ve already decided to give humans the freedom of choice, since puppet-children would be pointless.
“I can’t enjoy the blessing of relationship with puppets! No, my children must have free will [3].”
Elohim began to pace around his mammoth work table. “Second, much as I’d love to lavish each of my future children with perpetual happiness, I know such circumstances in their human state would only spoil them.
“There must be a balancing of the scales between blessing and challenge in order to do them good—to demonstrate my love and grace, yet bring them to a place of maturity and strength [4].”
“Yes, my Lord. I can see the wisdom of such a plan. How will you execute it?”
Elohim swished his flowing train around a corner of the table and continued to pace. “I’ll have to allow bitter along with the sweet, since too much pleasure will intoxicate them and too much sorrow will crush them.
“Too much success will lead to conceit, and too much failure will cause debilitation. Too much praise will contribute to pride, and too much criticism will bring on despair [5].”
Gabriel nodded thoughtfully. “I see what you mean, Elohim.”
“Even so, I want humans to grow in their understanding that happiness will not only be within them, nor will it solely be without. Happiness will be most dependent on their relationship with me.”
“Well said, my Lord!”
Elohim stopped pacing, a twinkle dancing in his eyes. “Thank you, Gabriel. Eons from now I’ll inspire one of my children, Blaise Pascal, to write similar words.”
With his star-studded pen Elohim pointed to a shelf holding one large scroll and tied with a scarlet cord.
“That is my plan for initiating relationship with humans: faith in my Son, Jesus—either looking forward to his coming, or trusting in him for eternal life after his death and resurrection [6].”
Elohim then indicated the design sheets strewn on his work table. “Currently in the planning stages, these individually-designed blessings to lift the spirits of my children when faced with difficulty.
“For example, I’ll bring a loving friend alongside a person who’s grieving, or paint a glowing sunrise to remind them of My presence, or lead them to a scripture that perfectly addresses their need—that sort of thing.”
With a flourish of his white-robed arm, Elohim pointed to countless rolls of such design sheets tucked into cubby-holes along the wall. “As you can see, I’ve planned out a number of good things already [7]!”
Now it was Gabriel’s turn to smile. “And no doubt you’ve enjoyed all the creating and designing.”
Elohim affirmed Gabriel’s assumption with a satisfied grin. “I shall have blessings ready for every circumstance my dear children face, though they will have to keep watch so they don’t miss them!”
Elohim paused. In softer tones, yet with passion and resolve he declared, “Gabriel, even before this epic of humanity begins, I already love them.
“Yes, they’ll choose to behave foolishly, but I will still bestow kindness with generosity, mercy with understanding, and goodness with wisdom [8].
“My greatest desire is that all humankind turn to me. And for those who do, a multitude of tender mercies await [9].” Elohim indicated the overflowing cubbies on the wall.
Gabriel bowed in reverence. “May all the peoples-of-the-earth-to-come stand in awe of your gracious provisions [10]!”
[1] The name “Elohim” indicates God is the Creator and ruler in the circumstances of humankind
[2] Psalm 103:20
[3] Galatians 5:13
[4] Psalm 86:15; James 1:4
[5] Based on a Don Fortner quote, www.gracequotes.org
[6] John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10; John 6:29
[7] Psalm 31:19
[8] Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 69:16 AMP; Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 145:9
[9] 1 Timothy 2:4; Psalm 69:16
[10] Psalm 33:8
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From the Inside Out 