A menagerie is defined as a collection or mixture kept especially for exhibition, often times referring to wild animals. The French Methodical Encyclopedia defines a menagerie as an “establishment of luxury and curiosity.” We are likened to this word in that we are a curiously wild collection established by and belonging to God
In high school I read a story called “The Glass Menagerie.” In my song, Master Weaver, the word ‘menagerie’ reminds me of a collection of glass or crystal contained in a curio. Glass figures on display glisten and sparkle as the light shines through them. Facets and intricate patterns of color are revealed as the light dances in and out of each translucent creation and as one reflects the light to another. What a beautiful display! However, when the light is shut off the little works of art aren’t quite as alluring. It’s harder to distinguish what they were meant to be, and some seem to become dark, featureless or invisible.
What a picture of the human race. A curiously different lot, we are on display much like these glass sculptures. We are God’s masterpiece and there are many aspects of who we were created to be woven into who we are. (Psalm 139) I’m sure that by giving us free will, God waits in excited anticipation to see what we will do with it. Will we choose to love Him with it? Will we serve him? Will we include Him at all in our lives as we explore the world He created? Are we an establishment of luxury or curiosity? God so clearly indicates to us in His word that He created us as a luxury. The definition of luxury is an indulgence rather than a necessity that is excessively expensive. He certainly did not need us to complete Himself, but instead He created us out of His love.
Since the beginning of our existence, we have proven to be excessively expensive, even costing God the sacrifice of His own son. And yet, He continues to pursue and desire a relationship with us, willing to leave the flock to go after the one who has used their free will to walk away from His friendship. (Luke 15)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the light that illuminates our soul by awakening the spirit born inside every human. We are each a complex collection of individuality and when we allow Jesus to shine through us, our lives become unimaginably beautiful. The varied and wild facets in our design begin to appear as we willingly allow them to be held captive by a Loving Savior. We reflect His love to one another and our best is offered for His glory. We are His personal collection of devotion on display for the splendor of a loving God.
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Master Weaver
by Sandy Harless
You are the master weaver
You’re the anchor and the chain
You hold all the threads of life in Your hands
You knit us into being
Every detail You ordain
We are woven into You, Your master plan
Everything that You design
Reveals to us the nature of Your love
Oh let the tapestry of me
Be the menagerie of You
A collection of devotion for Your splendor
Every pattern glorifies You
And every life that You have changed
Shows Your resurrection power and Your glory.
You choose every single thread
Creating patterns on Your loom
Another masterpiece of love is underway
In Your image You have formed us
Inside our mother’s womb
You know all our flaws and love us just the same
Everything that You design
Reveals to us the nature of Your love
I praise You Lord
When I praise You I feel Your hand upon my heart
You alone are the author of my life
I lift my voice in praise to You
As every fiber magnifies You
Every pattern glorifies You
You have woven into me
All that I am meant to be
For Your purposes, Your plan and Your glory
I am fearfully, wonderfully made … in You.
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