Threads in God's Story: Creation

22     Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
    for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
    the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
23 Be glad, people of Zion,
    rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
    because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
    both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
    the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

-       Joel 2:22-24

This week’s big question: If we come to Scripture so that God can help us find our story in his great big story… what story is he telling, anyway?

The first thread we find throughout the story of Scripture is creation.  God creates the universe, our world and everything in it, and through his Spirit, breathes life into his creation.  That’s why we sometimes sing, “It’s his breath in our lungs…”  And when he brings humanity into being, he makes us his image-bearers, people stamped with the imago dei and invited into his ongoing work of creation and caretaking and culture-building (like bringing grain to the threshing floor and filling the vats with new wine).  Then he looks at us and declares his work very good.

This morning, would you take a few minutes to ask God to show you how you are stamped with his image?  Where do you see proof of his good work in you?  (For example, your talents, the way you love people, your sense of humor or creativity…)  Where do you see him in your life, continuing to care for you and give you breath?  Where do you sense him inviting you into his work?