IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
Genesis 1:1
The secret of the world, said G.K. Chesterton, is to know
that we only see the back of it. We see everything from behind: trees, clouds,
planets, stars, oceans, everything. "Cannot you see everything is stooping and hiding a face? If only
we could get round in front." Behold, the face on the front of the world
is God’s! That’s what Genesis 1 is about. When we see just the backside of the
creation, we are tempted to think of it only in terms of space and matter. When we see creation from the front, from the
face, as the opening chapter in the Bible does, we must sing – we must give
praise to the Maker. Whatever else Genesis 1 is, it is a hymn of praise to the
God who made it all. You can add your own embellishments, your own verses, to
the song by singing of particulars. Doesn’t God say the birds, fish and
livestock he created are good. Make up a tune as you go.
Imagine this
chapter as footage from a time-lapse film of the creation. Lights burst forth, waters
separate and gather, mountains arise, forest spread, animals appear. Then the
film slows down to real time – then slow motion. A man and a woman stand naked
and innocent, warm and glistening in the love of God. God’s face brightens as he looks at something
of his own face gazing back at him. "So
God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them" (verse 27).
Time to sing again. The words of Psalm 8 would be good: "When I
consider your heaven, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which
you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him…You made him a
little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor"
(verses 3-5).
The next time
you are perplexed, disappointed and discouraged by another person – or yourself
– remember you are seeing things from behind. In front, there is the face of
God’s Son. And there are also the human faces that he came to transform into
his own image (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories
Theatre of
Fine &
Performing Arts
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