In the Beginning God Created

Dear Friend,
How are you?

The first chapter, In the Beginning God Created, of the Eugene Peterson’s book “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” enlightened me about something related to The Apollo 8 spacecraft:

“A little more than a year ago, three men were orbiting the moon in a space capsule. It was Christmas Eve, and they took turns reading Genesis 1, the opening chapter of the Bible: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,’ a most magnificent choice of texts for Christmas Eve.
The Apollo 8 spacecraft was transformed momentarily into a Jewish/Christian pulpit. Man’s most impressive technological achievement to date was absorbed in the declaration of God’s creative act.  Apollo, the most dashing of the pagan Greek gods, bowed down in worship to ‘God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.’”

I’ve watched the Apollo 8’s landing on the moon quite many times on TV, and heard of it in school.  But, it was new to me that the astronauts read part of Genesis, giving credit to our Creator for what He deserves. I even searched the video of that precious moment in YouTube, before I wrote this. I became emotional, when my own ears listened to Genesis’ being read.

But, I was even more emotional when I read the 1st chapter of this Eugene’s book.  Most of the time, when I read his books, I felt the Lord speaking to me through his books.  Just as God used the donkey to speak to Balaam, I found out He uses what I’m reading or watching or listening to.  In this chapter, learning those astronauts worshiped Him and gave credit to Him for what’s due, I simply burst into tears.
If the Apollo 8’s landing happened these days, would they still have an astronaut or astronauts who acknowledged the Creator of the universe?  I doubt not, as people get evil by the minute. They know there is God, who created this universe, yet they don’t want to glorify Him nor thank Him, just like the Bible says:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Rom. 1:20~23)”

Imagine that you wrote a book or a song or you painted an amazing artwork, but someone says he or she created it, not acknowledging your work.  Imagine that you proposed a great idea to your coworkers, but they took advantage of it, to promote themselves as if it were their own ideas rather than gave you credit and acknowledged you.  How would you feel?  But many don’t glorify God for His creation, nor thank Him.  They thank or fear what they call Mother Nature rather than God, the Creator, our Father.  I felt they are fortunate, as God is not like me.  If I were Him, I would have smashed them earlier.  But, He suffers long.  That’s His character. And I thought of His mercy and kindness:
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  (Matt. 5:44~45)
I simply became emotional, thinking of His characters; being kind and merciful even to the evil and the unjust. I said to Him “How could you put up with these so long?” 
“….”
And I felt He wants us to be like Him.  Long-suffering and merciful.

Then, on last Friday, I received an email with Pastor John Fenn’s weekly thoughts from his ministry, and part of it made me think of the Father’s character:
“Look at how you got saved 
‘Everyone who has heard the Father, and been taught by Him, comes to me.’ ‘....for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.’ ‘That the Father...will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him, that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened.’ John 6:45, Matthew 16: 16-17, Ephesians 1:17-19

All this comes directly from the Father via His Spirit which is Holy. Everyone who is born again has heard and learned from the Father in direct revelation. He is so humble though, that He doesn’t announce Hey this is God who created you, the Head of the universe asking you to think about ‘is there more’ and ‘why am I here’ and ‘do I have a purpose in life.’ The Father is so humble He just submits questions that stir our heart to make us think. Jesus, just like His Father, is also meek and lowly of heart.”

While writing the draft of this blog, I thought of His long-suffering and kindness. And now I learned that He didn’t boast that He made everything and didn’t show Himself off as Creator.  Our Father and our Lord Jesus are meek and lowly in heart.  If we made something on our own, we would advertise it with pride, and want acknowledgment and approval from others.  Our Father and our Lord created the entire universe! Not just AI or paintings or music, but the universe and everything in it, including you and me.  Yet, they don’t boast, but they are meek and humble.

Friend,
I pray that you and I always praise Him for His creation and thank Him.  May we be like Him, enduring long, not being provoked, merciful and kind even to the evil, and meek and lowly in heart.

Have a bliss!
Julie

O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions— (Psalm 104:24)