Creation, the Trinity, Creativity

Week 1: Creation

• Key verses: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1
• Creation and the Trinity
• Creativity, in the image of God
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Genesis 1:1 (NLT)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

John 1:1 (NLT)

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Creation and the Trinity

Both key verses start in the beginning. Before anything, anyone, and anytime was God. He was not alone and yet He is one. In Genesis, Moses speaks of God in both the singular and plural (Genesis 1:26-27 “Let us make human beings in our own image…So God created human beings in his own image”). John is even more explicit declaring that Jesus was with God and that Jesus is God. The mystery of the Trinity is introduced at creation, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit yet one God.

Before starting this week’s devotional, I was reading about the Nicene Creed. This creed summarizes the key doctrines of the Christian church. One of the key doctrines it reinforced is the truth that Jesus is God eternal and one with the Father. I admit I don’t understand how it all works, but I believe. I am thankful that the God I follow is both known to me and still a mystery for me to discover.

Creativity, in the image of God

Whenever I read the creation story, I am reminded of a lesson I used to teach on creativity and the image of God. We are created in his image which makes us creators at our core. Throughout history, everyone creates. Music, math, transportation, buildings, societies, culture, finance. We humans create. We find fulfillment in creating and want others to see what we created because, like God, we think it’s good.

Because of sin, not everything we create is good. However, even bad or evil creations prove we are created in God’s image. Even in the midst of our sin, we cannot escape the truth of creation.

Thankfully, God also gave us the opportunity of redemption through Jesus Christ. We were created to create good. We were given the calling and responsibility to create in God’s creation. We are created in God’s image.

Parting thoughts

Creation is the foundation of Christianity. Without the creation by God who always existed nothing else matters. In order to be redeemed on an eternal scale, Jesus must be eternal as well. All that we believe is built on this foundation.