Genesis 1:1-19 (NRSV)
God creates
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night - and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
DEVOTION
Isn’t it grand that on the day after Easter and the celebration of Jesus’ glorious resurrection, we return to the creation story to see another display of God’s awesome power? I have always loved the creation story because it shows just how loving, creative, and artistic God truly is.
Who else but God could have looked into a formless void of darkness and imagined a world with galaxies, planets and space that extends into eternity? Who else could have been artistic enough to speak light and darkness, sun, moon, and stars, earth, land, flowers, and trees into existence?
On a daily basis scientists are still “discovering” new plant and animal species created by our creative, artistic, and powerful God! There is no end to God’s boundless creativity—who but God could have created the lily, rose, and carnation in so many distinct colors, shapes and sizes? Who but God could have imagined a banana with its strange shape, a mango with its gigantic seed, or a watermelon that is so sweet?
I love that each time God concluded the work of the day, God said, “It is good.” Now, when God says that something is good, it really must be!
Today, on this beautiful Easter Monday, look around my friends! Take the time to see all of the good that God has made for our enjoyment! Too often, we get stuck in the “Good Fridays” of our lives—the sadness, pain, horror, depression, anxiety, and worry of our existence.
But, as Christians we are called to be resurrection people in a Good Friday world! Despite the pain, heart ache, and challenges that come with being human in this world, there is still GOOD NEWS! God has redeemed all things by the blood of the Lamb!
When Jesus went to the cross and died and then was resurrected on Sunday morning, all of creation was redeemed by his sacrifice. As we live into God’s great love for us, we will realize that we are meant to live in peace with God, neighbor, and all created things.
Let me invite you to take a walk or a drive today. If you are home bound, please look out of your window! Survey the sky, sun, moon, or stars! Look at the trees, flowers, and fields and then remember—all of creation is a love letter written by God to you! I hope you will take the time to smell the roses and to enjoy the many ways in which God is romancing your heart today.
God really, truly loves you! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Now, ain’ta that good news?!
Loving God, I see your handiwork and I am amazed at how much care you took in creating the world in which I live. You are so thoughtful! Thank you for all that you have created. Indeed, it is good. Thank you most of all for Jesus, who died on the cross for me! I am glad that I am now forgiven and will inherit eternal life with you. Please help me to share your love and your peace with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" found at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
We are celebrating with the 11 people who have recently put all their hope in Jesus! Happy Re-birthday!
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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
I also went to highschool in STL. I graduated in 1979 at Sumner High. In 1978 I attended Beaumont and in 1975-1978 I did the co-op program at Vashon.
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