Real Hope: Redemption StoryIhe Atụ

Longing for Fellowship

I know you’ve read these words many times, but have you ever stopped to ask why? Why did God create the heavens and the earth? Surely not for His existence – He already was and would be. Perhaps to see what He could do; stretching His creative muscles… No. God doesn’t work for the sake of work. For, ‘we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28 NIV). From the very beginning of creation, God worked for the good of those who love Him. From the very beginning of creation, God worked according to His purpose. Wow!

While it would be possible to take a sharp turn at this point and suggest that everything was done for you – we know that’s not true either, BUT, the good He has worked for has always been for having fellowship and friendship with us.

I don’t know about you, but when I grew up hearing this story of creation, that was not what I was thinking about. I was thinking about how each day God made one thing. I was thinking about how there was an order I could remember. I was thinking that God was amazing that He could make a giraffe, and wondering why He made cockroaches.

Now, focusing on the why, it makes the creation narrative even more significant because it’s the first step in us having a relationship with Him. How amazing. That was His purpose and remains His purpose. That fills my heart with joy!

Written by KATIE SMITH

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