Reset Back To The Garden - Faithful

Reset Back to the Garden

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27, NLT)

On this planet, people can be divided into two groups. There are people who come to their browser, open their browser, complete a task, and then close their browser. Then there are others who have multiple browsers open at all times, and are able to multitask between various tabs without feeling overwhelmed. My spouse, Josh, belongs to the first group, while I belong to the latter. This contrast becomes most apparent when I require technical assistance on an electronic device, and he spends the first 5 minutes sifting through my numerous apps or tabs (which are all necessary, by the way) to identify the actual issue.

In a similar way, our culture is trying to redefine and erase the beauty of gender and biological sex. As a result, we find the conversation on womanhood being drowned out by multiple voices and misplaced emphasis. We are in need of a reset back to the voice of our Creator and his purpose for creating us.

Genesis 1 and 2 are the opening pages of the grand story of redemption. In chapter 1, the Hebrew word “Elohim” is used for God, which points to his power and sovereignty. In chapter 2 the Hebrew word shifts for God to the covenant name “Yahweh,” which points to his relational, intimate, and pursuing heart toward his creation. Chapter 1 shows the rhythm of God creating (“it was good”); it’s not until chapter 2 that we see a break in that rhythm with something not being good (man being alone).

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” (Genesis 2:18, NLT)

The Hebrew Word for helper, “ezer,” means “to bring strength” and is often used in military terms to come to one’s aid. We often think of a helper in terms of an assistant or a sidekick, but when we look back at the creation story we see that God forms Eve as an ally to strengthen, work, reign, and cultivate the earth alongside Adam.

You were created by the God of the universe to bear his image uniquely and boldly! Let that sink in. Your worth, value, and dignity are defined by the Creator who formed you with the purpose to bring strength and life to the communities, workplaces, neighborhoods, and homes you are in.

You aren’t created to sit on the sidelines waiting to be called into the game. Rather, as a woman created in and bearing the image of God, you are on the front lines of reflecting, working, and fighting for the Kingdom of God.

Ezer Prayer:
God help me to be an ezer woman today who sees people the way you see them. Use my gifts, talents, and passions to reflect your heart of love and redemption to a hurting world.

From the Book:

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Faithful
By Jacki C. King

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