July 6 | Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-22

Elaine Pierce
Jul 6
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

God Created Work

By Elaine Pierce

From the very beginning, men and women have had a job to do: take care of the earth, and everything in it, and be fruitful and multiply. It seems pretty straightforward, doesn't it? As we all know, it didn't last long (check out Genesis 3 when the crafty serpent is introduced.)

What does it mean to "fill the earth and subdue it? (Genesis 1:28). I really like how the Message translates this verse:

"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.

"Taking charge" and "being responsible" don't sound as harsh as "subdue," and yet, when you are in charge, at times you have to be forceful and decisive. When our children were young, they hated to go to bed when we knew they needed the sleep. Gene and I used to remind them that, yes, we loved them and wanted them to be happy, but this wasn't a democracy and they didn't get a vote on bedtime when they were 3, 5, 7 and 9 years old. We were responsible even when it meant we made them deeply unhappy. (And, of course, the next day they were rested and full of energy, ready to play, work and learn.) In the same way, we humans have the awesome responsibility of managing planet Earth. We've made some very bad decisions along the way, but ultimately God is in charge and He will bless us in spite of our many failures.

Did you notice the use of the plural in verse 26?

Then God said, let us make man in our image, in our likeness,.....

Of course we know that, as John so eloquently says in John 1:1-3, Jesus was with God from the beginning:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

My friends, I don't begin to fully understand the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But I do know that we are created with a purpose. We are made in God's image and likeness, and he has given us good work to do. You may get a paycheck; you may work at home; you may be retired from fulltime employment. But your kingdom work only ends when your earthly life is over. And then - then the full joy and celebration will begin!

PRAYER

Lord, you have given us meaningful, important work. We are to fill the planet, and we are to be responsible for every living thing. Help each of us, in the sphere of work you have given us, to work for your glory and your honor. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!