Genesis 1:31a
Stop.
Take a breath. List five things about yourself that you truly, deeply love, whether it’s family members, facial features, or favorite skills. Sit with these good things about yourself, giving thanks that God has made you very good indeed.
Listen.
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. – Genesis 1:31a
Reflect.
Last Sunday, we heard from the creation story in Genesis. We heard three trustworthy promises in that story that carry us through uncertain times. We’re talking about those promises this week. We’ve talked about God’s promise to always provide and that we are made in God’s image.
Today, we’re talking about the promise that God has made us very good indeed. Maybe that doesn’t sound like much of a promise at first. Very good isn’t exactly excellent, fantastic, or marvelous, is it? It’s just a step up from “good”, which sounds like a shrug of the shoulders. Can you find any comfort in being very good? Would it help to hear that the Hebrew word for “very” here could be “vehemently”?
At this point in the creation story, God has made all things. Finally, after making all other pieces of creation, God makes people. When people are part of the fullness of creation, it goes from good to very good – or rather, vehemently good. Humanity isn’t an afterthought tagged on at the end. Humanity is the final, beautiful piece of creation that takes creation to its fullest good. But humanity also isn’t the only good thing out there. After all, God looks at everything that God made, and that’s what’s vehemently good.
That’s the dual promise in this one promise. First, that you – yes you, exactly as you are – are incredibly, totally, vehemently good. Second, that you are part of a larger, beautiful, meaningful whole, all of it working in unison to make something so grand and glorious that no superlative can really capture it. Very good will have to do.
Pray.
God, you have made me emphatically, enthusiastically, vehemently good. It is my joy and privilege to be a whole part of the goodness of your creation. I praise you for who you have made me to be and for all the good you will continue to do in my life. Amen.
Carry On.
Tell someone that they are good beyond words today. Send a note to someone who you appreciate, give a stranger a word of encouragement, or remind your child just how much you love her.