God’s stories

 Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20

Our first reading, the first chapter of Genesis and a little more, is the very first story we read in the Bible. Why do you suppose this is what comes first? … Just like any good story, it sets the stage for the rest of the story; it tells us what we believe about God, and what God believes about us.

Genesis 1 reads like liturgy with a congregational response: And there was evening and there was morning, the first/ second/ third day, and so forth. We repeatedly hear that what God created was good, including the humans.

This is such an important story. Many of the creation stories of the surrounding cultures include gods at war with each other, and humans being created out of the gods’ anger and violence. In intentional contrast, the creation story in our belief system tells us that God created us in order to have a relationship with us, that we are images of the Divine love, and that we are made to live according to God’s purposes. This first creation story emphasizes goodness and mutuality, the desire for a relationship.

We could remember here the reminders from Jesus in John’s gospel: “Love one another as I, Jesus, have loved you.” We have all, each one of us, been created by God to love God and to love each other.

Psalm 8 echoes this goodness and Divinely-instituted purpose. We are crowned with glory and honor, loved and valued. Humans are just a little lower than the Divine, and co-creators with God. Because of our creation as images of the Divine, we are charged with caring for the earth God gave us, and with honoring the glory and majesty of God.

… In 2 Corinthians, Paul has been reminding the believers with some strong words that they are to love one another, and that one person is not better or more loved by God than another person. In a culture where significant wealth and excellent health indicate divine favor, this is stunning news. But equality in God’s eyes and heart is an essential aspect of the Christian message.

Believers are to love one another as God/ Jesus has loved them. The believers in Corinth are to live in peace with one another. Peace, shalom, as Jesus means it, is a healing bond between people and the Divine.

… The last sentence in Matthew is: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus’ Spirit is with us as we assure broken or oppressed people that God loves them, because they are God’s beloved children.  

Jesus’ Spirit is with us as we care for creation, as we work with others to restore the damage to creation caused by our own as well as previous generations.

And Jesus is with us, as we take time for sabbath, to listen for God to tell us that we are God’s own beloved child.

… For years, I faithfully watched the TV show, Touched by an Angel. Each story told of a person with deep wounds in their inner child. Over the course of the episode, as the different angels interacted with the person, their wounds were uncovered and able to be healed.

The end was always the same. Monica told the hurting person that God loved them and wanted to have a relationship with them. The person responded with amazement that God could love someone like them, when they felt so unlovable. Usually, they returned to their family or coworkers and created a healthier environment, based on God’s love and care for all.

… In the beginning, God created and loved what was created, including the people. Over time, the people forgot that they were charged with being caretakers, stewards, of what was created, and abused it. They forgot that God loves all God’s children, and some of the children abused and oppressed other children.

This pattern has been true for thousands of years. We can’t change it in a day, or a decade. But if we change what we can, we make a difference today in our place, at UELC. Our garden and the donations to the grocery cart feed hungry people. Our leadership has been making environmentally sound decisions, replacing light bulbs and thermostats. For years, our congregation has been a welcoming center for all people, what we might call God’s rainbow, in color, in giftedness, and in sexuality. We aim to reflect the love of God for all of creation here.

… When we think of creation, many of us think about the beauty of Florida’s sunrises or sunsets, the amazing variety of critters that abound in nature, and the peacefulness of our rivers and lakes. We may also think of the power of God when storms arise and create a mess out of what we have created.

Let’s remember that we people are also created by God, loved by God, and charged by God with caring for each other, loving each other, the same way Jesus showed us when he walked the earth. And that he continues to be with us always, to the end of the age, helping us love even those who are so wounded they seem unlovable.

… This week, I suggest you consider all of creation. Take out your camera – a physical one, or your cell phone camera – and tell yourself a story of creation. Take a dozen or more photos which show the variety of creation: nature, critters, and people. Share the pictures with someone else, and tell the stories of why you took those pictures.

Amen