Missions

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I am working through a book called "Discipleship Essentials" by Greg Ogden. I am doing so in a group with three other men who are seeking to become the men they need to be in all areas of life. This has been a great experience for us all. The discussion is rich and the bonds being formed even more so.

This week we were covering a chapter on being made in God's image. This was a lift to our spirits, and at the same time, a realization of the responsibility that comes with such an awareness.

Each chapter starts with what they call a "core truth". This particular chapter's core truth was as follows:


"What is humanity?

God, the self-existent Creator, called the world into being through his infinite creativity and power. The peak of God's creative work was humankind, male and female, made exclusively in His image."


The core truth is then followed with a couple questions. The last question for this chapter's CT was: What questions or issues does the CT raise for you? Of course you could see how hard it may be to narrow it down to fit on a page. However, this group has become more transparent with every meeting, so one of our group members got straight to it. The question it raised for him was:

How can humankind be the peak of God's creation, when most of us spend a major portion of our lives running from the One that created us?

This is a question that I know most of us would have. Right off hand, I was thinking we would be discussing the first page for the rest of the evening. I thought about just leaving it at "because God says so", but decided to give this question the consideration it deserved. After hearing a couple of great responses it was as though the light bulb turned on (those that know me know that I often think that the light is on, only to speak and extinguish it), this time was different though. I actually saw how humanity was more beautiful than anything else God created. As ugly as it seems sometimes, I believe our lack of faith in God's ability to restore His creation draws our eyes to the beauty we can understand like the mountains, and the solar system.

Not that these things aren't beautiful beyond comprehension, but humanity is so much more. I realized that the mountains have no choice but to shine God's glory, and the stars in the sky have no other option but to perfectly do God's will. Humanity on the other hand is allowed free-will. When you think about it, this is infinitely more beautiful than anything we can comprehend. God desires to be in relationship with us so badly, that He gives us the choice to turn away.

It may sound weird but think about it; God is willing to endure the pain of watching us stray, so that when we choose Him, He can shower us with Himself. The Redwood trees, mountains, the ocean and universe all point to the omnipresence and unfathomable power of God. But humanity, even through the darkest hour, is desired and pursued by God so that when our efforts fail again and again, He will be able to show Himself fully to us.

Sure God is omnipresent, and we would be foolish not to tremble at the sight of all the many things in creation that highlight His strength. But humankind is the peak of God's creativity because it is through us that God most deeply reveals Himself to all of creation. God is Love.

It is our responsibility and should be our greatest desire as Christians to allow Him to show Himself through us to others who are seeking somewhere to turn.

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