In The Beginning

The story of creation in Genesis 1 is one of the most powerful and poetic passages in all of Scripture. It’s more than a chronological record of how the world came to be — it’s a foundational theological declaration about who God is, what he values, and why we are here.

In just under 1,000 words, the creation account moves from cosmic chaos to breathtaking order. With each "God said," we see the unfolding of light, sky, land, plants, stars, animals, and ultimately, human beings. There is no violence, no cosmic battle, no divine chaos — just the voice of a loving Creator bringing forth life with intention and delight. The refrain throughout? “And it was good.” On day six: “It was very good.”

Let’s explore what this ancient narrative still means for us today.

Unlike other ancient origin stories that center on conflict, conquest, or cosmic accidents, Genesis 1 presents a radically different view of the world: creation is born not from war but from divine love. The God of Genesis speaks creation into existence — calmly, powerfully, and with clarity.

Ten times in Genesis 1, “God said…” and ten times, what he said became reality. This is the first glimpse of a Creator who is not only mighty, but orderly, intentional, and deeply relational. This pattern reveals God’s authority and his desire to create with beauty and purpose.

Even more compelling? The repeated blessing over creation: “It was good.” God is not a distant deity — he is a delighted Creator. The world isn’t an accident; it’s a masterpiece.

Of all that God made, only humans are created “in our image,” reflecting the triune God’s nature. Genesis 1:26-27 is a radical proclamation: both men and women are made in God’s image, entrusted with stewardship over creation, and given dignity, value, and divine purpose.

This concept — the Imago Dei — changes everything. It means that every human being carries inherent worth, from the unborn to the elderly, from every race, culture, and background. Our image-bearing identity is not something we earn — it’s something we’re born into.

But it also carries a responsibility. As image-bearers, we’re called to reflect God to the world — his justice, his mercy, his creativity, and his care.

Though the concept of the Trinity would not be fully revealed until the New Testament, Genesis 1 already hints at it. The Spirit of God hovers over the waters in verse 2. God speaks creation into being, and John 1 later reveals that “the Word” — Jesus — was the very means by which all things were made.

This means the entire Godhead — Father, Son, and Spirit — were present and active in creation. The same God who hung stars in the sky later hung on a cross out of love for us. The same Spirit who brought order out of chaos in Genesis now brings order to our personal chaos when we surrender our lives to him.

Genesis 1 is not a scientific textbook. It is pre-scientific and pre-historical, written long before modern science or historical records. Its goal is not to tell us exactly how creation happened, but rather who did it and why.

When we try to force Genesis 1 to answer scientific questions it was never meant to address, we risk missing its deeper truths. Genesis 1 is theological — not mechanical. Its aim is worship, not explanation. As Pastor Paul Basden put it, “The purpose of creation story and learning that God is creator is not to know more here — it’s to worship more here.”

So why did God create? The answer is stunningly simple: love. Not loneliness. Not boredom. Love.

Creation is the overflow of divine love between Father, Son, and Spirit — a love so rich it demanded to be shared. We were made from love and for love. We were created to know and be known by God.

And though sin enters the story later (Genesis 3), Genesis 1 anchors us in God’s original intention: goodness, relationship, and purpose. It’s the beginning of the greatest story ever told.

Much debate has surrounded the “how” of creation — was it six literal 24-hour days? Was it millions of years? Does evolution fit into the picture? Faithful Christians hold different views, including:

• Young Earth Creationism: God created everything in six literal days, approximately 6,000 years ago.
• Old Earth Creationism: God created everything over long periods of time, using a mix of immediate and gradual processes.
• Theistic Evolution: God created through evolutionary means, guiding the process over billions of years.

What matters most isn’t the timeline — it’s the trust. Trust in a God who created everything from nothing and called it good. Trust in a God who created you on purpose and for a purpose.

Genesis 1 reminds us that God brings order out of chaos. “The earth was formless and empty” — in Hebrew, tohu va-bohu — but God’s Spirit hovered and began the work of transformation.

This is still what he does today.

Whatever chaos you may feel in your life — anxiety, loss, confusion, disconnection — the Spirit of God is hovering near, ready to bring order, purpose, and peace. The same voice that said, “Let there be light,” now says “Let there be peace, let there be hope, let there be new life.”

Psalm 95 invites us to worship our Maker: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Worship is the natural response to knowing the Creator. It’s not just about singing — it’s about surrender. It’s about aligning our lives with the One who made us, sustains us, and calls us to join him in restoring a broken world.

Genesis 1 is not just a story about long ago. It’s a story about right now. It reminds us that God made us for himself. And through Jesus, the Word who became flesh, we can know our Creator personally.

So, if you’ve ever wondered why you exist, here’s the answer: because the God of the universe wanted you. You’re not an accident. You’re not here by chance. You were made on purpose, for a purpose — to know and love God.

And once we know that we begin to see the world — and ourselves — differently.

Over the next several weeks, our church will journey through the opening chapters of Genesis, rediscovering God's original intentions for gender, marriage, rest, and the human heart. Some weeks may take us through challenging cultural terrain — topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, and the role of women. But we won’t avoid them. We’ll engage with love, humility, and clarity, remembering the goodness at the heart of God's design.

Before the world began, you were on God's mind. He formed the stars — and he formed you. The same God who created the cosmos now invites you into a relationship with him. That is the beauty of Genesis. That is the invitation of creation.