Book of Faith - Genesis 1:1-10 - In the Beginning

Genesis is a fascinating book.  Written after the exile, Genesis addresses the question of beginnings.  The book is filled with stories that were told through the centuries and were then compiled in a wonderful tapestry.  In the first two chapters, we have two creation stories.  In the first chapter, we have the priestly telling of a cosmic God who speaks and creation happens and God's creation is both good and beautiful.  In the second chapter, we have a more ancient telling of the story where God does not speak but fashions creation with his own hands and breaths life into that creation.  Both of these stories are great and both of them need to be told.  These stories, like all stories, shape who we are and how we understand ourselves. We look at the world around us and see the gracious hand of God.  For our group, we understand that there is power in these stories.

This led to a discussion of stories.  Stories are a part of the fabric of our lives.  There are faith stories, but there are also national stories, family stories, and personal stories.  Sometimes the only way you can tell the whole truth is by telling a story.  I could describe my grandfather to you.  I could tell you that he was strict, not demonstrative, faithful, hard working, opinionated, and giving.  That description would paint a partial picture, but not the whole truth.  The best way would be for me to tell a story.  My grandfather would work quietly all year in his wood shop behind the garage making wooden toys for all the children in the neighborhood.  On Christmas Eve, he would deliver those gifts anonymously to all the homes.  He never wanted recognition and he never wanted thanks.  That's my grandfather.  In one short story, more truth is conveyed that in a whole list of adjectives.  The beauty of the Bible is that the Bible is a book of stories.

Stories have a way of speaking to us in the living of our lives.  We talked about the creation story in the first chapter.  Not only does the story speak of our beginning, but the story also speaks of possibilities in the here and now.  The God who moved over the water of chaos and created the world that is both good and beautiful is also the God who can work with the chaos of our own lives with the promise of creating something both good and beautiful.  This is a story people need to hear.

Next week:  Mark 9:14-31 - The Power of God and the Power of Man

Peace,
Pastor Summer