CreationPower

The same creative power that was at work in Creation is today re-creating us in Christ’s image, making us sanctified and holy in God’s sight.

Pastor Phillips affirmed a wonderful truth Sunday: the same Spirit that hovered over the formless, dark, empty chaos at the beginning of time is the same Spirit who brooded over your life and mine before our life in Christ began. Darkness covered the depths of our hearts and minds. And into that darkness, the same voice that spoke at creation spoke to you and I individually, “Let there be light.”

That was Day One, the first stage of our spiritual journey. Our eyes were opened. The darkness of doubt was pierced, and the Light ruled the new day.

On the Second Day, the heavens were separated from the earth. Two worlds were defined, just as they gradually become clearer to us after we give our life to Christ. Earth is not all there is; in fact, it is simply a preparation-ground for heaven, and we are pilgrims, called to set our hearts on things above.

On Day Three, the seas made place for dry ground, and we got our spiritual footing. Soon new growth appeared, like branches from a Vine, and the potential for fruit was created.

Day Four, the moon and stars were created and organized. Discipline and order was being established, just as it is when the Spirit opens God’s Word to the developing Christian and helps him or her to establish regular rhythms of worship and study and self-examination.

Day Five: life began to take root everywhere. The silent skies filled with birds; the empty seas teemed with fish. So in us, places that were achingly empty and lifeless begin to come alive. There is the sound of singing in previously vacant areas of our inner beings, and a living Presence in the lonely places of our hearts.

On Day Six, God is moving to the fulfillment of His highest goal – the creation of someone in His image. He works up to it gradually... first wild animals, then domesticated livestock… and finally the crowning achievement –man and woman, made from clay yet bearing the very breath of God within.

So it is God’s intention all along to take our bodies of clay and breathe His Spirit into us, until we stand to take possession of all He’s prepared for us. To do the work for which He made us. To enjoy an intimate relationship with Him every day in the inner garden of our hearts.

Creation… re-creation… both are a process involving the very same God, the very same power, and the very same Voice which continually encourages our progress, saying with deep divine pleasure,

“It is good.”