Genesis 2:1-3

[2:1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. [2] And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. [3] So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

I’ve always wondered about this passage. God rests.

Not like He has to, He doesn’t grow tired, it is not like He’s weary from the work of creation.

Then we read in Ex. 20:8-11:

[8] “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

God rested, giving us an example to live by. He designed the world in 6 days, resting on the 7th – not because He couldn’t have finished it all in one… but to give us an example to live by. We need rest.

Yet, when was the last time you rested?

When was the last time you took to heart God’s command to rest?

Oh, that command isn’t for us, we’re New Testament Christians!

Yet we find Christ drawing away, praying alone, resting in the LORD.

Numerous studies have shown that the more people rest, the more productive they are. Now, I’m not talking about someone working 8 hours a week at a 40 hour job and being lazy. I’m talking about workers who rest, taking time off – away from work. They’re more productive.

Think about this passage. Think about how often you rest, specifically giving yourself time to reflect on the week, on what God has done for you.

If its not often enough – drop something else that you’re doing, most likely you’re doing too much anyway.

God literally commands us to rest, so you might want to look into that.

p.s. I’m terrible at this as well…

Genesis 1:27-31

[27] So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

[28] And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” [29] And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. [30] And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. [31] And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

It has been a few days since I posted. I won’t make any excuses.

We were made in the image of God. We are told to multiply, to have dominion over the fish, birds, and every living thing.

We were made in the image of God, and it is very good.

The creation is finished, or should I say it has just begun. It was very good, God says. I have to agree. I’ve been through some of the most beautiful areas in the country this summer. Beautiful mountain lakes that would make any tropical dwellers jealous – until they get in the water – BRRRR! Green hills, plains, waterfalls, trees – all displaying God’s love and goodness, His power and grace.

Then there’s humans to consider. Funny, sad, serious, jovial, joking, loving, teasing, smiling – all displaying glimpses of God’s beauty. Sure, there’s glimpses of sin within as well, but don’t let that overshadow the beauty that is a man or woman striving to truly live in the image of God.

If there’s anything I’ve learned from this summer, it’s that God is holy, powerful, awesome, beautiful, loving and gracious – and so are His people.

Creation IS very good, but God is greater.

Genesis 1:26

[26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

We were made in God’s image.

You were made in God’s image.

That person you can’t stand – made in God’s image.

We were all made in God’s image – but sometimes we don’t act like other people are.

We don’t treat people as if God cares for them – because we don’t.

I spent yesterday at Elitch Garden’s in Denver, CO, by all accounts a large city with many, many people in it. Yet only once did I even think about other people as God does. I spent most of the day waiting in line for rides, frustrated when people broke the rules, angry when a ride wasn’t open, wishing people would just step aside when they’re walking slowly…

and only at the end of the day did I realize that these people are loved by God.

These people, God created, and loves and cares for… and I treat them like junk.

Observe the people around you, actually see them. Know that they are loved by God, despite their problems, foibles, faults and cutting you off in traffic.

Open your eyes to view people the way God does, and it’ll break your heart.

Genesis 1:24-25

[24] And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. [25] And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

God saw that it was good, the livestock and animals that now walked the earth.

God’s creation is amazing. Just think of the last time you went to a zoo. There are so many different types of animals, so many different breeds within each animal, each with its own special design. Bright colors, muted colors, the ability to change colors – each of these traits are for a purpose.

And so it is with us, we each have been given different features, personalities and talents.

And it is good!

Be yourself, be who God created you to be – and stop trying to be someone else.

Then you’ll see that everything God created was good, as well.

Genesis 1:20-23

[20] And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” [21] So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. [22] And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” [23] And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

The waters teem with life. Fish, Sharks, Whales, shrimp and millions of others are suddenly thrust into the depths of the ocean.

Just above the new life in the sea, the sky is filled with birds, beautiful birds, who soar through the air.

Amazing.

But what’s most amazing to me is that neither those in the sea, or those that fly in the sky above are much suited to each other’s environment.

Most birds don’t swim well. Those that do can only stay underwater so long before they drown.

Most fish don’t last more than minutes above water. They suffocate.

Take a fish out of water, and it is just a slimy mess.

Clip a bird’s wings and it turns into one of the clumsiest ground walkers in the world.

That’s because fish were meant to swim, and birds were meant to soar.

God created these animals for a purpose, they were designed for something.

In the same way, God has made each one of us, humans, differently. We all have different talents, different God-given gifts.

How are you using what God has given you today?