While out of town this weekend, I was thinking about the Genesis account, and I kept coming back to the same question that so many have asked: Why believe that in the beginning God created everything? Why not also consider evolutionary theory or other plausible possibilities in how mankind came to be? Why should we just accept this tiny explanation - this small chapter in the first book of scripture for what it is? Can we just leave it at that? Can we just accept God's Word and agree that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth?
I found myself considering these questions most when I was completely surrounded by crowds of people this past Sunday. You see, this weekend Chuck and I traveled with friends to go see the Vikings play the Cowboys at the Mall of America Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Once we entered the Metro dome, we found ourselves lost in mobs of dedicated fans.
Note, I have some serious physical limitations. I have very bad knees that buckle and give out frequently. So, this weekend I came prepared and brought my cane to lean on for support as I knew I would be challenging my legs a lot. However, once we entered the football stadium, it became quite apparent that I would also need to depend on Chuck to get me through the flow of pushy people trying to get to their designated seating sections before the game began.
With all that was going on around me, I was fearful that I would physically be unable to make it up several flights of stairs, much less maneuver to our narrow bleacher-style seats. So, Chuck and I decided to just take it slow and steady and progress at our own pace. Chuck walked in front of me (shielding me from the crowd), while I took my time moving from point A to point B to point C. When finally settled, I couldn't believe I made it. Praise God.
As I sat in my chair, beaming with accomplishment and excited about the game, I surveyed the field and watched the remaining crowd members struggle to get to their seats. In particular, I noticed a father carrying his son in his arms. I don't know why this man would bring a very small child to a football game, but nonetheless, there they were with painted faces and matching jerseys. Dad securely held his son as he made way to their seats - protecting his boy from overzealous fans who would bump him while cheering at the top of their lungs. And just like Chuck had done for me, this pappa took great care to get from point A to point B to point C, all the while explaining things to his son and assuring the little sweetheart that soon they would be safe and settled to enjoy the football game together.
While watching this father, I started thinking about how much MORE God is than man. How God's way is the standard for man to follow and trust - and not the other way around. As such, God's way of communicating must be the best way. He is the greatest communicator... after all, He is God, right? Then I remembered Hebrews 11:3 which says, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:3)
And that about sums it up, doesn't it. By faith, we either accept God's Word, or we don't. If God says that in the beginning He created everything, then we either believe Him, or we don't. Scientific evidence is secondary to this decision, because science can only formulate accurate conclusions through evidence witnessed. The rest of science is merely speculation and theory. However, here at the very beginning of Genesis 1:1, we are faced with one truth: without faith in God, we cannot be saved. We'll either trust that the Greatest Communicator has given us enough to see and accept Him and then move forward in His plan... or we won't. No man can attest to what happened at the beginning of time because no man was there when the world was made. We can debate and hypothesize and scheme all we want, but in the end, our acceptance or denial of God's absolute Word and authority on this matter is key in determining what course we will follow. Either God is GOD, or He isn't. Either His Word is absolute and believable on all accounts, or it isn't. By faith, you will choose to believe God's Word... or you will not.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Faith is not something we can conjure up on our own, It is not something we are born with, nor is it a result of diligence in study or pursuit of the spiritual. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that faith is a gift from God, not because we deserve it, have earned it, or are worthy to have it. It is not from ourselves; it is from God. It is not obtained by our power or our free will. It is simply given to us by God, along with His grace and mercy, according to His holy plan and purpose, and because of that, He gets all the glory.
If you choose to believe God's Word on this, then I encourage you to allow Him to embrace you fully in His secure arms. Allow your Father to walk you through the stormy trials of this sin-infested planet and get you safely from point A to point B to point C. Trust that His plan will bring you exactly to where you are supposed to be. Trust that His Word is enough to guide your steps and shield you from the enemy. Trust that without Him, you can accomplish nothing. But with Him, you are destined for greatness through His grace! Praise God!
God's gift to save and restore your life can only be accepted by faith, ladies. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” No other component of the Christian life is more important than our faith. We cannot purchase it, sell it or give it to our friends. Faith is individual. It is a belief in... a devotion to... and a trust in somebody or something of which we cannot secure logical human proof. As such, faith is the cornerstone of Christianity and foundational to our accepting the truth of Genesis 1. Without demonstrating faith and trust in God we have no place with Him. For we can only believe in God’s existence and our true intended purpose by faith.
Will you accept God's gift and follow His Word? Will you believe Him and trust His perfect Way of communicating His purpose and plan? Will you allow your Holy Father to carry you safely in His arms as He leads you back home? Oh, I hope so! He has so much to show us. Let's give Him all our time to explain things to us in His Word and believe Him when He assures us of His headship. Today, His kingdom comes... His will is being done!
Blessings!
Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson