The Depth of the Painter

5. If everything that exists was made by God and for God, and God is superior to the things made by Him, he who abandons what is superior and devotes himself to what is inferior shows that he values things made by God more than God Himself.

St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #5

In my lifetime I have been fortunate enough, starting with my Eagle Scout journey, to walk through majestic forests, and stand atop hills gazing at the vast expanse of the sea, and each time I can't help but marvel at the grandeur of creation. Everywhere we look, from the minutest organism to the vast cosmos, we see the work of an incredible Artist. But like any artwork, the creations, no matter how magnificent, are a mere representation of the artist's essence.

This saying from St. Maximus the Confessor warns us of a subtle trap. In admiring the creation, there's a danger of becoming so engrossed that we forget about the Creator. It's akin to praising a painting while disregarding the painter.

The world, with all its beauty and wonders, serves as a means to draw us closer to God. But, if we're not mindful, we can become overly attached to these blessings, making them the center of our lives. The challenge for us, then, is to enjoy and appreciate God's creations without losing sight of our primary relationship—with God Himself.

To truly value God means to place Him above everything else. This doesn't mean we should shun the world but rather engage with it in a way that always points us back to the Creator. By maintaining this perspective, we ensure our hearts remain attuned to what's truly superior.