Today’s Reading: Genesis 2, Psalm 8; Ephesians 4:17-32
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority — the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! – Psalm 8:3-9
As I was reading through the creation story again, the word “fullness” jumped off the page at me. The earth was formless and empty, and God filled it. He filled the sky with stars and planets; He gave us the sun to fill the earth with its light during the day and the moon to light up the night sky. He caused the waters to swarm with fish and mammals, and he created birds to fill the sky. The world went from empty to full at God’s command.
IN HIS FULLNESS
There is such beauty in the variety displayed in God’s creation. From the great sea creatures to the small animals that scurry across the earth or burrow through the ground, God beautifully provided us with diversity from the beginning of time. And he gave the animals and fish the ability to reproduce and multiply so that they could continue to fill the earth with their beauty and purpose. And God looked at everything He had created in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and He said that it was good.
Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. – Genesis 1:24-25
God took the time to create all sorts of animals, each species similar to another but uniquely special. This beauty of variation is also evidenced in how God created humans with DNA that makes us unique. Our Creator filled the earth by creating a man and a woman with the ability to be “seed-bearing” — to reproduce and fill the earth. The genetics of a man combine with the genetics of a woman to create a new person. This new life has similarities to its parents, yet is beautifully different. We truly have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
Diversity is a gift from God. As more and more people filled the earth, ethnicities formed and skin color varied from family group to family group. Difference showed up in eye color, hair color and texture, skin tone, height, and personality. And this was all part of God’s wonderful plan; it was meant to be celebrated and appreciated — it was very good.
IN HIS LIKENESS
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. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” – Genesis 1:26-28
God formed man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils and he became a living person. “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (2:18). From man, God created woman. While the man, Adam, was asleep, God took one of his ribs and created a helper that was “just right for him” (2:20).
“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. — Genesis 2:23-24
God could have created the woman, Eve, from the dust of the ground like he did Adam and the animals (2:19), but it is worth noting that He did not. And God does not do things without purpose, which means He intentionally chose to create the first woman from the body of the first man. And from her body, would come their children and all the generations to come. Adam and Eve were not created in the same way, nor were they created to fully function in the same way, but instead were designed to beautifully complement each other. Again, this is something to be celebrated and valued.
IN HIS IMAGE
What does it mean to you to be created in the image of God? Perhaps if we saw ourselves as created in His likeness, we would be less likely to devalue ourselves and self-criticize. And if we were to live life fully embracing how God created us and the purpose for which we were created, we would be more available for the building of God’s Kingdom than we ever have been.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. – Ephesians 4:21-24
Father God, simply by speaking the world into existence, you took what was formless and empty and created the amazing details of this life. The world went from empty to full at your command. From empty to full. Lord, those four words hold so much meaning for me this morning. I recognize the evidence of your creative hand in my life — how you take the empty pages of my life and write my story. May this new year be perfectly designed by you, and may I grow in wisdom and faith as I soak in your scriptures each morning. Lord, I trust you with all that is ahead. Amen.