Quick question, have you ever seen something and thought, “Man, whoever designed that is brilliant!” A bicycle bell, a lock, a spray bottle? I mean, check out this picture! Why didn’t I think of that?! Brilliant!

Isn’t it interesting that we rarely come to God with that same sense of curiosity when it comes to the way you and I are designed?

Most people equate design with things like mental capacity, athletic ability, sense of reason, ability to calculate complexity and make it simple. While those things are certainly within the realm of our giftedness individually, there is one thing that every athlete, every teacher, even every inventor has in common, we were all designed to live in relationship.

It’s true…relationship has always been foundational to God’s design for humanity. Examine the creation account of Genesis 1-2.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So, God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27 NLT.

God lives in relationship (called the Trinity). And God’s design for humankind was to live in relationship – first with Him, and then with each other.

And here’s the thing, he’s a brilliant designer! Examine the Old Testament and look at the law God gave his people, this Israelites. Embedded in the 10 Commandments…design. “Have no other gods before me” points to a relationship with God. “Make no graven images or idols” points to a relationship with God. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” – you guessed it, again points to a relationship with God. What about the last six commandments, you know like “Don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t bear false witness against a neighbor”? They all point to relationship with each other.

From the very beginning, the brilliant design of a brilliant and creative God is that you would live in a relationship with Him and with your fellow man…it’s why you were made! From the beginning, relationship has always been the end but also the means of God’s plan to come to fruition in your life.

We’ve all said phrases like, “I wasn’t made to go through this”, “I can’t do this anymore”, “Life is just too hard to live.” And while we’ve all felt this way to some extent, you might consider God’s design as a potential solution for what faces you. The next time you say “I wasn’t made to go through this…” simply add the word “alone” or “by myself” to the end of that. Invite God’s design for you into every situation.

A radical shift will occur in how you view the world, how you view yourself, your purpose, and it will help you navigate even the most difficult circumstances.

Man, why didn’t I think of that?

by Matt Roberson – Lead Pastor
The MET Church
Houston, TX