Rev. Michelle Manuel, Associate Director of Adult Ministries

Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Reflection:
Even though it’s the end of the month, let’s start at the beginning. I mean, the very beginning. God’s spirit was there, hovering over the dark waters. And then God spoke. These words didn’t simply echo into the darkness and bounce back to God like some holy and celestial echolocation exercise. No, God’s words created. God created light and dark, the sun and the moon, the days and nights, the seas and water, the animals of the sea, air, and land. And then God created us and said creation was very good. (As an aside, if you ever get too big for your britches, just read Gen. 1:25 and on. We didn’t get our own special day. We were made on the same day as the cows. Let that sink in.) But friends, God declared that we were very good once we were created. God created everything we know. The very first thing we see God do is create. God is an artist.

My late grandmother was an accomplished portrait artist whose paintings hang in private homes all over the nation. She first began creating art when she was in Kindergarten. She used to tell me stories about how she got in trouble because she colored up all the paper in her notebook for school. My childhood is filled with fond memories on her back porch where she would teach me how to paint. I’d get frustrated at the whimsical and unpredictable nature of the watercolor paint. I still hear her voice encouraging me to have fun with it, let the paint go where it wants, be delighted in the piece you are creating. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was showing me glimpses of God the Creator. She was the first person to invite me to create; little did I know that it was a holy invitation.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.- Ephesians 2:10

Friends, we were made in the image of God. We reflect God’s image into this world each day by the lives we create. We each have the potential for creating immense good in the world. When we became Christians we accepted the invitation to co-create with God. Maybe you don’t consider yourself an artist, but you are a creator; you are making decisions that will create ripple effects into the world. You are problem-solving and planning. You are designing and arranging, hosting, and organizing. Growing a garden, a relationship, or a business—all opportunities to show the world the face of God. Each good work is accepting the invitation to create alongside our Creator.

So many people need you to create right now. We need to see what the Holy Spirit is manifesting in you. We need to see the evidence that God is with us. With God’s help, go today and intentionally create something good. Go and be Christ for the world.

Prayer:
Loving God, Creator of the universe,
Continue to pour out your Holy Spirit on my so that I may be Christ to the world. Help me utilize my unique gifts, both known and unknown, to be a healing and transformative creative force. May your Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven and may I continue to hear you will so that I can be a part of your mission. I pray these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.