The Giver of Life

The world was perfect; beautiful blue seas, lavish green lands, bright warm days, crisp breathtaking nights, creatures of all kinds scattered about, and mankind - created in the very image of God, made for God, to be in relation with Him - to be together as one. Indeed it was perfect, just as our Father intended for it to be. In five days, God created light and separated it from darkness. He created the sky and separated it from the waters. He created the land, vegetation, sun, moon, and stars; then, He brought life - life to a world that was made to live; life to a world that was made to sing of His glory. The waters became filled with fish and creatures which swim about, the skies with birds and all things able to fly, and the land with animals, livestock, and wildlife of all kinds. It was beautiful, and God knew it was good - but it wasn't enough, not quite good enough for God; therefore, on the sixth day, He created mankind. 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.” God, the giver of life and author of all creation had a sense and a purpose to create mankind. He did so not as an act of power, or to add another piece to the creation puzzle started just five days before; but rather as an act of love. You see, we were the only ones created in His image. God's plan was to see Himself in us; to give us rule over His masterpiece; to love us, live among us, and be with us - always! Oh how He loves us! Oh how He cherishes us! God gave life to all things, and undoubtedly did so carefully and with much thought. Still, it was mankind that he formed with His hands; created from the dust of the ground, and breathed life into the nostrils of man. Oh how intimate! Oh how loving! He created us, every part of us both large and small, and certainly took His time with us. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb". "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well". "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body". "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be". Oh how He loves us! And though we have sinned; even though we failed Him in the beginning, even through to this very day - He loves us, and His purpose for us remains! As He left His throne to become man; to walk the earth and teach us both how to live and how to love; to suffer life as we do; to feel the pain of flesh and temptation of sin; to bring hope to all man through blood and a cross - He did so in remembrance of why He created us; to be in relation with Him - to be together as one. On the seventh day God rested; His creation was complete. I can feel His joy this very moment; the joy over His work; the joy over His redeeming plan; the joy over His love for us. Thank you Father, for your endless love and eternal grace. You too, are so very precious to me.

Sam Jones
First is the Kingdom!