A New Beginning in Perspective

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This one statement is a declaration that established a belief in a view of the world that is centered and begins with God as a Creator. For someone who is does not believe in God this statement is false and has no meaning. But for theist, people who believe that God created the heavens and the earth and is actively involved in the affairs of humanity this first verse of the Bible is a prelude to what is to follow. This one verse declares boldly a theistic worldview. As Christians we must understand that the way we view the world and approach life is different from persons who do not ascribe to belief in a Creator God.

All ideas about life come from Genesis 1. If God creates, then God is able to do many different things. This brand-new year should be summed by our belief in this simple passage, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” How we start is how we will finish. If we start with God, we should end with God. There will be many challenges thrown our way but if we keep God before us, we can push through. God is firstly a creator God. And this belief summarizes what we can think about all of creation. It all begins with God.

The Bible was written in an era of multi-culturalism (many cultures) and religious pluralism (many religions). And today we live in a multicultural and religiously plural world. Each culture and religion has a worldview that shapes people’s thoughts and actions. A worldview is the sum total of our beliefs. A worldview that begins with belief that God created says something about who we have hope and trust in. Our worldview creates our values and values shape our behavior. A naturalist who does not believe in the supernatural or God believes the universe just began to exist through evolution without a creator/designer.

It’s obvious the world was created with intent and is uniquely fashioned to exist as it is. This could only happen with intentional design and creation. Some scientists argue the world began to exist through a Big Bang. That may be true, but God caused the Big Bang. If God created the heavens and the earth with special intent, likewise God allowed us to exist with special intent. We are God’s workmanship, created in God’s Image and likeness and because of that ultimately nothing can defeat us.

As we begin this new year, let’s remember God created the heavens and the earth. God has graciously allowed us to be present. Lets’ make the best of this year and continue to put God first.