In the first chapter of Genesis, we read the creation story. At the sound of God’s voice, light separates from the darkness. Waters part from the sky, gathering into place as an expanse of the earth appears. The sound of Father’s voice sparks life.
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.”
And it was so.
Plants burst from the dirt, and trees split the surface of the soil. Grass and flowers sprang forth, covering the ground. Life birthed from the earth — the very soil that produces and sustains it still.
“Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”
With this directive, sea creatures erupted into the deep. Dolphins leaped from their watery depths, twirling in praise to the One who spoke them into existence. Birds took to the air, flying with wings outstretched in worship to the Almighty God.
“Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.”
Bison and sheep roamed the plains. Elephants stampeded in majestic glory. Lions and zebras ran wild together, at peace with the other. All in harmony with the earth from which they came.
Then the Creator did something new and unexpected. He turned to Himself and spoke: “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
God looked at all He had made and declared it good. Then He looked inward and pulled out the crowning glory of His creation. Scooping the dirt from the very earth He had spoken into being, He crafted man and woman. In His own image, with attributes and characteristics in keeping with His likeness.
This masterpiece was not birthed from the waters nor called forth from the skies or the earth. Gifted from the Godhead, man and woman came into being from Divine Trinity.
This beginning chapter of the Bible shows God speaking to the natural environment to produce His creation — the same environment that sustains its life.
Water erupted with fish and sea creatures.
The skies filled with birds.
The earth made room for land animals.
But humans were born from the Godhead, created in and from the very Presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
It is God’s presence that produces and sustains our lives.
Without Him, we are like a fish out of water.
As surely as fruit trees dip their roots into the earth’s soil, our life comes from abiding with God. He is our natural environment. When we move away from Him, we begin to die.
The abundant life He invites us to is only lived in His presence. All else is unnatural to our original nature. We are unsettled and restless in this world because it is no longer our natural habitat. Sin has invaded our native dwelling.
No wonder we groan with longing for something other.
We were not made for this world apart from Jesus but designed for an unbroken relationship with Him.
Thankfully, God made a route for us to find our way back to His original intent. The Cross of Christ is the bridge to unity with the Godhead once more.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ comes our invitation to be born again. To step into a new life, one that passes beyond the realm of this world and into eternity. One that makes us one with Father, taking us back to our original roots of creation.
The Cross is our invitation to return to and abide in His presence forever.
The Creator awaits your RSVP.
I sure hope you take Him up on the invite.
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FOR REFLECTION
With the signs of spring and Easter all around, it seems fitting to reflect on the gift of life. — A life designed to live in unity with our Creator.
Because we have distanced ourselves from our original intent, we struggle with this tension of nature at odds with itself. No wonder we so easily echo Paul’s words from Romans 7:15 and end up doing the very things we loathe.
Who will rescue us from this body of sin and destruction?
Thank God, the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!
We have a bridge back to our roots. One paved with salvation and restoration to a relationship that is pure and powerful. The way of the Cross is how we are reborn and sustained. On this side of eternity and into the next.
May you accept the invitation today, dear friend.
For the first time, or as a renewal of life promised through Jesus.
The RSVP is yours alone to return. I hope you do.