The Origin of Our Story

The Power of Stories: Rooting Ourselves in God's Grand Narrative

Stories have an incredible power to shape our lives, our families, and even entire cultures. From childhood, we find ourselves drawn into narratives, often acting them out and living them in our imaginations. But this isn't just a childish impulse - as adults, we continue to be deeply influenced by the stories we believe and live into.

True stories root us in reality, giving us a sense of identity, purpose, and direction. They form us, molding our worldview and actions. However, false stories can have grave consequences, leading us to what might be called "misliving" - living in a way that's misaligned with reality and truth.

In our current cultural climate, it's easy to be hijacked by smaller stories or even false narratives. We find ourselves pulled into various ideologies, political views, or conspiracy theories, often forgetting the ultimate story - the true story of humanity and our universe.

So, we must ask ourselves: What story are we living into?

To answer this question, let's turn to the beginning - quite literally - to the book of Genesis. In its opening chapter, we find three fundamental questions being asked and answered:

1. How big is your God?

The very first verse of the Bible declares, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This simple yet profound statement reveals a God who is eternal, existing before time itself. He's not a product of chance, not part of an endless cycle, and not a distant clockmaker who wound up the universe and left it to run. Instead, we see a God who is both transcendent (existing beyond and above the created universe) and immanent (intimately involved in every aspect of creation and our lives).

This God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and holy. He's the uncaused cause, existing outside of time, holding all of history in His hands. Why does this matter? Because our view of God directly impacts how we respond to life's challenges. If we believe in a small or distant God, we may not turn to Him in times of hardship. But if we understand His true nature - eternally existing, infinitely strong, yet intimately close - we can trust Him and run towards Him when life gets tough.

2. Where did all this come from?

As we marvel at the intricacies of creation - from the vibrant plumage of a peacock to the breathtaking beauty of a sunset - we're led to ask: Where did all this come from? Genesis provides a clear answer: It was created by God.

Importantly, the text shows us that creation is good. It's neither something to be rejected as inferior to the spiritual realm, nor is it to be worshipped as part of God. Creation is separate from God, yet reflects His creativity and goodness.

While Genesis isn't meant to be a scientific textbook, it reveals the who and what of creation rather than focusing on the when or how. It invites us to see glimpses of God's awesomeness in the world around us, from Ethiopian coffee to zebras, from family to vacations. As Christians, we're called to enjoy these good gifts while letting our enjoyment roll up into praise and worship of the Creator.

3. Who are we?

Finally, Genesis 1 answers the crucial question of human identity. After creating everything else, God says, "Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness." This plural language points to the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - working together in creation.

Humans, made in God's image, are the pinnacle of His creation. We weren't created because God was lonely, but out of an overflow of joy within the Trinity, inviting us into intimacy with Him. This truth gives every human being infinite value and dignity, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.

The implications of this are profound. It means we should treat no one as common, but view everyone through the lens of being image-bearers of God. Even in our differences and disagreements, we must remember that each person carries the fingerprint of the Creator.

After creating humans, God's first action was to bless them. Only then did He give them purpose - to be fruitful, multiply, and rule over the rest of creation. This order is significant, showing us a God who delights in blessing His creation before assigning responsibilities.

As we reflect on these truths, we might wonder: If everything was created good, and humans were created very good, what happened? Why do we see so much brokenness, pain, and suffering in our world and in our own hearts?

The story doesn't end with creation. Throughout the Bible, we see that while humans turned away from God, choosing their own way, God continually moves towards our brokenness. He doesn't abandon us in our mess but pursues us, ultimately promising to set everything right again.

This is the grand narrative we're invited to live into - a story of a good Creator God, of human rebellion, and of divine redemption. It's a story that gives us hope in the midst of our broken world, assuring us that our pain and struggles are not the end of the tale.

So, as we navigate life in this complex world, let's ask ourselves: What story are we living into? Have we been hijacked by smaller, false narratives? Or are we rooting ourselves in this ultimate story of creation, fall, and redemption?

If we find ourselves living in the wrong story, there's good news. The God of the universe is still pursuing us, drawing us to Himself. He invites us to repent - to turn from the false stories we've believed - and to step into His grand narrative of love, redemption, and ultimate restoration.

In a world full of competing narratives, may we choose to live into God's story, finding our true identity, purpose, and hope in Him.

This article used generative AI via Pulpit AI to transform one of Chris' sermons into this article. The content is original to CDM, with some help from Pulpit AI adapting it into article form.