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The Story of Creation Genesis 1:1-2:4a
From Genesis 1:26-28; 31a: Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Yesterday, while picnicking with our two oldest grandchildren, one of them asked, "What's that noise?" We were at Goliad State Park, near a busy highway, and the noise he was hearing were large trucks that have dominated our area with the oil boom. I replied that answer, then it was quiet and we could hear the sounds of insects all around us. Again, "What's that noise?" I told him they were bugs and how all creation liked to praise God with their sounds. It was a great day to see their wonder about ant lions and their clever ways to trap ants; ants being too smart to fall into those holes, spiders at work trying to catch their food, and to see the San Antonio River away from the commercialization that is the famous River Walk. The story from Genesis tells of God's creation. Our college professor in an intro to Old Testament class asked us to imagine being seated around a campfire listening to the oldest person there telling this story to answer the question where did we come from?
The story is presented in a way so that as the story is learned, it is learned in a way that it can be passed down to future generations as they begin to ask the questions of life. An orderly story of how order came out of chaos, all the work of God's hand. Included in that is our story, the creation of humankind. Made in the image of God, meant to reflect that awe of God for God's goodness and love, we are the work of God's hand. Our creation involved a blessing from God, showing the love and intent of God to be invited and involved in our lives; our response by faithful and fruitful living will affirm what it says in the last verse of today, "it was very good."
Invite God to be a part of you life. I can think of nothing else that involves and invites the Maker to come along for the journey. Once you buy a new car Detroit takes its money and you're pretty much on your own. The same with any appliance, home, etc. Those who made those things usually want to walk away with their money. Not so with us; God made us, loves us, and desires to walk with us. The scriptures say that through the years God has shown the ways God is One and God is Three. Even in this story, the "us" shows that God was at work in the ways that blesses us with the knowledge of a loving Father, a loving and sacrificed Son, and the presence and power of God's Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for creating me. While the world may point out my imperfectness, grant me peace and the assurance that in Your eyes I am very good. Help me to live a life that points that out to others, especially those hurting. This I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
