Your Origin Story: God-Given Identity in GenesisSample

Genesis 1:1 starts in the beginning, literally, as it tells of the world's creation. But the first humans are far from the heroes of the story.

"We, cherished humans, are
not spot lit in our origin.
Not centered in our galaxy.
Acute attention to our dusty feet dimly,
drastically,
under-shines
the radiance of the Son...
Our genesis gleams with a greater story."
(Jen Weaver, "Origin Stories" in A Beckoning to Wonder)

It’s only natural to look for characters we can connect with in a story. The ones we dislike as much as the hero does. The ones we think will make it out at the end. The ones who remind us of ourselves.

We can marvel at Adam and Eve’s supernatural start and relate to their shortcomings. We can celebrate how, even when they hid in shame, God came to find them. We can even get frustrated at their disobedience, forgetting for a moment that we, too, struggle the same way. Or wonder if they had belly buttons.

But let’s refocus our lens for a moment.

"In the first words
of the first book
of God’s Holy Bible,
we meet our glorious God
of no beginning." (Jen Weaver, "Origin Stories" in A Beckoning to Wonder)

Let’s reread the creation story and retrain our eyes to look for Him as the main character.

Find stability in knowing that while we began, our good God always was.
Find wonder at the power of His breath.
Find communion as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit move in perfect agreement.
Find sovereign creativity.
Find love offered to humanity since the very beginning.

“In the beginning God…”

In the light of our glorious God and this great story of our beginning, we discover our identity. An identity we explore tomorrow.