Called Out Ones

Being "called out ones" gives a different perspective on what we identify as the "church". Rather than gathering in our temples and cathedrals, we are as the Seals in the Navy. We remain in the world but we are expected to perform at a much higher level.

Rather than focusing on programs and activities, the main emphasis should be impacting those who are hurting, no matter what the reason. All to often we recognize people for their God given skill and entertainment value than their involvement with the broken, impoverished, and alienated people.

Confusion Over Image

Genesis 1:27 states that human beings are "created" in the image of God. One of the issues that might be considered is what does it mean to be created in the image of God. The Bible also states that God created human beings in two genders, which implies until finite time that which had existed, and that had been created was without gender.

It seems that a possible conclusion from this is that it takes two genders to reveal a more complete picture of God. If one generalizes the attributes of both genders, one notices that certain characteristics are more prevalent in one gender than the other. Without taking into consideration the traits of both, one may have a limited view of the totality that is God.

A final observation is that when it states that human beings are created in the image of God, one must look outside of the confines of the physical universe. As the Apostle John tells readers, "God is spirit and those who worship God, must worship God in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), one may begin to grasp the significance of being created in the image of God. If one thinks about it from this perspective, then the way human beings are created in God's image is that people are separated from the remainder of the animal kingdom because each person receives from God the Spirit.

Seeking Love

We crave being loved and often times we take extreme measures or actions to receive this love but we only receive attention instead. The good news about Jesus Christ is that this love is extended without our having to impress Him.

The best definition I have for this God-like, unconditional love is "having such high regard and respect for another person that we work to do what is best for them". This is God's love for me, He works to bring me into relationship with Him through Jesus' dying on the cross -- that is what is best for me.

God Establishes Meaning

"Now that which had been created lacked shape and substance, with darkness filling this created chasm, yet the Spirit of God was still at work" (Genesis 1:2 Paraphrased by thethinkingfrog).

As the initiation point of matter unfolded, it lacked description. In the same way that God moved among the molecules now in existence, God is wanting to work in the recesses of the human heart to create peace out of confusion and rest in the midst of turmoil.

Since the onset of time, God has taken that which was dysfunctional and brought significance to all situations. However, the limitations of the human mind entrap the person into the idea that each person knows what is best for them. In the midst of the many times a person has acted, only to wish they had the power to undue that which they did.

At some point, each person will realize that even though they have lived the 'good life,' it would have been beneficial to have had a source of wisdom outside of themselves from whom to receive guidance. The God, who is revealed in the Bible, has constantly worked in the midst of broken, insecure, and troubled people to provide direction and meaning. It is surprising how often a person will cry for help and yet fail to look beyond themselves to the God who created significance out of what lacked shape and substance.