Created for a Purpose

January 1 – Created for a Purpose (Gen 1-2, Mt 1)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1

Instead of offering a puzzling explanation for God, the beginning statement of the Bible assumes God’s existence.

Many people have struggled with the existence of God. Perhaps they have pondered the great suffering that affects many people in the world, and concluded that a powerful, loving God could never exist. Others may be fond of particular lifestyles, which seem to be at odds with what the Bible teaches, and they decide it better to live carefree rather than to submit to God. 

While some argue otherwise, living without God cuts one off from a life of moral and existential meaning. If there in no God, then our best acts of kindness may just be wishful thinking. If God does not exist, then the greatest acts of devotion and love have no solid ground to stand upon. But if we receive the truth presented in the opening pages of Genesis that God is the powerful and personal creator of the whole cosmos, then our entire world changes (Heb 11:3).

The opening pages of Genesis invite us to a powerful God – his creative acts are not limited to the earthly realm but also to the heavenly realm. His creation is not haphazard but orderly. While many mythical stories of ancient cultures also speak of powerful gods, the Genesis narrative presents us with another unique truth of Christianity: that this powerful God is also personal. Through the Spirit, God brings order into the chaos of the world, just the same way he brings new life in the hearts of sinners caught up in the chaos of sin and the fall (Ezekiel 36:2-27; John 3:5-8)

God not only creates the world, but also creates us as human beings to live in fellowship with him. C. S. Lewis, the renown English writer said that “if we find in ourselves longings that the experiences of this world cannot satisfy, it means we were created for something more.” We have not been created to wander around aimlessly as the gods of our own lives, but from cradle to grave, our lives cry out with eternal significance, mirroring the God who has created us for relationship with him and one another. 

Reflection questions

1. What narrative drives your understanding of where the world comes from?
2. Does this narrative help you deal with all the complexities of life?
3. How does this passage shape your understanding of God and your response to him?

Prayer
Our Father, you are great in power for you have made the heavens and the earth. You order all the events of my life and the entire world. I confess my weakness in seeking to be my own god. In this new year, help me to trust your power available for me, to lead me to you, to sustain my life and to superintend over all other powers in the world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A devotional reflection by Kevin Muriithi on the Tabletalk Bible reading plan.

Feature image by Aaron Burden from http://www.unsplash.com