Worship - 23 February 2025

Summary of this week's theme

Today’s passage from Genesis highlights God’s tender, creative work in forming humanity, and the deep closeness between God and Adam, the ‘earth-creature.’ This relationship, built on love and trust, sets the stage for humanity’s role in creation. God’s breath animates Adam, who is given the playful, yet significant, task of naming animals - signifying responsibility and stewardship.

Yet human frailty is also present. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil introduces choice, and Adam, who receives God’s instruction before Eve arrives, will later try to shift blame. But before rushing ahead, we should pause to appreciate the beauty and intimacy of God’s creation.

Knowing what comes next does not diminish the value of the story - just as learning a book’s ending doesn’t stop us from wanting to read it. Instead, it invites reflection. God’s creation of a companion for Adam underscores our need for relationships, and though we are made in God’s image, we are distinct from God. Perhaps humanity’s self-will was part of God’s purpose, even an antidote to divine loneliness.

This calls us to embrace all of creation - including one another - with the beauty God intended. Jesus’ incarnation affirms humanity’s worth and raises the standard of our calling. However, following Jesus often challenges our expectations.

Take the disciples in the storm: experienced fishermen panicked while Jesus slept. When woken, he calmed the sea and questioned their fear. Panic disables reason, making crises worse. Faith, not panic, is what Jesus expected, or hoped for.

In today’s world, anxiety can be overwhelming. Yet, God’s deep investment in creation reassures us that we are never ignored. Our calling is to trust, care for creation, and participate in its future, bringing order and joy.

Though Genesis soon shifts to disobedience and separation, for now, we leave Adam and his companion in peace with God - a state worth striving for as we write our own part of the story. There’s still a long way to Eden, but the journey continues.