Lent: Transformation of Creation
Genesis 1:1-28
v27-28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
In the hustle and bustle of today I think it very easy to constantly think and prepare our way towards the next step and forget where we started. As we begin this Lenten season its important for us to reflect on how we get to the glorious story of resurrection- the beginning of the world and the power and majesty of God. There is a joke that has always brought a laugh for me as a kid. There’s a scientist and God. And the scientist challenges God to a contest of who can make the better human being. God tells him that he’s on, at which time the scientist, in great delight, bends over to pick up some dust to make his human being. Then God says, ‘No, no … you go and find your own dust.’ Sometimes its laughable to think we have that power within our grasp let alone forgetting who we are, our purpose here, and what God has called us to do.
The passage of focus is on the story of our world’s origin, Genesis 1. We know that the book was inspired by Moses’ time on the mount with the Lord and he saw the vision of creation. It is truly a sight to behold to see God’s power at work! As he spoke substance into nothingness and life manifested, I wish I could witness just a small minutia of the grandeur of God. For the verse of focus we focus on God’s plan to form us on the second to last phase of creation. He formed us in His image and spoke blessing to us. The command to us to have dominion over the earth and to form more life was a beautiful thing. It’s important for us to remember this point as it precedes our fallen state and the path to redemption
As we move forward into the story of our world, we know we fail in breaking God’s command and the world is corrupted with it. The perfect world God had spoken into existence falls wayward as do we, so what is that next step? However, what we long for and need to hope for is the return to this place. Not here in this expanse of earth as we know it, but being with our powerful God and in His full presence. The description of that place is not important so much as who we are in the presence of. Our new purpose has now moved towards the call of speaking the resurrection of Jesus and life with Him. As we see the power of God in this passage, let us not forget we are created in His image, to care for the world, and now, called to pursue Him. Let this Lenten season be one of good reflection and deeper pursuit of Jesus. Be blessed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
How can I better appreciate the world and majesty of God today?
PRAYER
Lord please help me to remember your power and purpose in my life, and not forget my history, but learn from it. May you be magnified and I decreased.
Arun Chacko, Mar Thoma Church of Staten island
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church | 
