The beginning, the time when God was alone, is defined by God’s first great act of love. For, in the beginning, God resolved to form a universe, a universe that He could focus all His love and attention upon. So, from nothing, God created the heavens, the earth, and the entire galaxy. God hovered above His formless creation, and from darkness, He pulled light. The light became known as day, and the darkness, night. He looked over His new creation and knew that it was good. There was evening and there was morning. The first day.
On the Second Day, God called for there to be separation of waters. So the waters above were separated from the waters below. The waters above, God called sky. He looked over this new creation and saw that it was good. The Second Day.
On the Third Day, God called for the waters below to come together in one place, as to make it possible for dry land to appear. So the land rose out of the waters. God saw this and was pleased. Then God called for vegetation to take root in the soil of the earth. So out of the soil rose up seed bearing plants. God looked upon the Earth and saw that it was good. The Third Day.
On the Fourth Day, God called for there to be lights in the sky, separating days from nights, and marking months and years. Thus, lights appeared in the sky. There was a light that lit up the Earth during the day, a smaller light that lit the Earth in the evening, and the stars that lit up the universe. God looked over this creation and saw it was good. The Fourth Day.
On the Fifth Day, God called for the skies and waters to swarm with abundant life. So, creatures big and small were formed in the great depths of the seas, and in the great heights of the skies. God saw how great this creation was, and knew that it was good.
On the Sixth Day, God looked upon the land that He created and decided to place living creatures within it. From the land sprouted livestock, creatures that moved along the ground and wild, untamed animals. The animals all glorified Him and He knew they were good.
Afterwards, God surveyed His creation. He looked at the light separated from darkness, the sky and waters, the land and vegetation, the sun, moon and stars, the creatures of sea and sky and the creatures that He created to wander upon the lands. He saw that every single part of His creation glorified Him, that every single part of His creation was good. But there was something missing. God’s glory was reflected in everything, but His image was nowhere in the garden. God saw no full reflection of Himself.
So He said, “Let us create humans as a reflection of us, resembling us on our own creation. They will rule over the creatures of the sea and sky, over the livestock and wild animals that rule the land, and over the animals that slither upon the ground.” So God created humans, man and woman, in His own image. Resembling Him fully, they were created. He looked upon them and saw that they were indeed good and beautiful. So God blessed them, telling them to be fruitful, and granting them the power to rule over all the creatures of the earth.
Not only was God’s full glory reflected in the garden, but His image was instilled upon those whom He entrusted the garden to. With the creation of Human, God made Himself ever present. He looked at His creation once more and saw that it was beautiful. The sixth day.
(Retelling of the Creation Story, Genesis 1)
While I was in Botswana, I had the unique opportunity of traveling to Zambia to visit Victoria Falls, one of the most spectacular pieces of creation. I was able to hike around, take pictures and truly bask in the glory of that part of creation. Victoria Falls was absolutely beautiful! I have had some incredible opportunities in my lifetime to take in beautiful views. Each country I have been in has come with beautiful scenery. God’s creation is truly amazing, and there is beauty in so much of it.
But when the term beauty comes to mind, I generally think of these scenic images. I generally think of mountain passes, waterfalls and coral reefs. It is not necessarily incorrect to do so, but there is something in this creation that is ultimately more beautiful.
Us.
God made everything in His creation before Humans; we were the last thing made. God deemed every single part of His creation good. He saw His glory reflected in everything. But His image was not instilled upon creation until Humans were created. The beauty of God is planted upon us! That means that, when we see something as incredible as Victoria Falls, we can bask in its glory. For God’s glory is instilled upon that monument. But His beauty is instilled upon us. We were created to be more beautiful than any other part of God’s great universe.
We know this because God knew them in advance and decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of His Son. That way, His Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)
God knew us all in advance, and He created us exactly how He wanted us to be. He created us as we were born, conformed to His image. He saw that we were beautiful from the start, and He loved us.
We are the pinnacle of God’s creation. His image is instilled upon us, and He resides within us. The beauty of God surrounds us every day. So look around, for God is everywhere, in every person, all over the Earth. We are inherently beautiful, and God delights in each and every one of us.
