FROM CHAOS TO CREATION: Parallels Between Genesis and Our Spiritual Journey

Genesis 1-2: 

https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.1.1-31.NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.2.1-25.NLT

Hi everyone!

With fewer classes on my plate and clinical postings underway, I'm excited to be able to post more regularly on the blog. Today's topic is something we've all likely encountered countless times before: the creation story in Genesis.

During a recent Bible study with a friend, something incredible happened. As we delved into Genesis 1 and 2, the Holy Spirit revealed a fresh perspective. I started to see striking parallels and landmarks  between the creation account and the journey we take as believers. These parallels and landmarks can help and act as checkmates on our spiritual path.

Join me as I explore this new perspective. Let's dive in!

Darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the waters. The earth was void and without form. This reflects the state of our lives before our encounter with God. There’s no light, and hence we are left in darkness. The only work the Spirit of God is doing in our lives is the work of conviction. My friend added 

“Well while we were yet sinners he loved us 

God while we’re in the dark seeks to get our surrender,( hovering but not entering the darkness)allowing him to transform us(creation process) and dwell in us ( God being in Eden, the final product) 

This seeking out is the hovering 

The first thing that was created was LIGHT . Why? Light is essential for transformation to occur. For example, when our room is scattered and dark, what’s the first thing we do to arrange it? We turn on the light. This reflects our lives before our encounter with God. The first thing God does is shine His light. An example is the story of Paul—light was the first thing that happened before his transformation.

 The next thing was the separation of light from darkness. You become aware of the difference between light and darkness.

Then came the separation of the waters from the heavens. After our encounter with God, there must be a season of separation. This sets the motion for the next stage. We can still see this in Paul's encounter , he had 3 days of separation where he didn't eat, and i am very sure we have all experienced this in our journey as Believers.

THE LAND AND SEA

The creation of LAND signifies the formation of platforms that support our growth as believers. Land is where we walk and live, and it acts as a foundation for the growth of plants and whatever we want to grow. Similarly, in our Christian journey, the land represents the platforms supporting our growth.

The  SEA also supports growth. Before i continue it’s crucial to understand what the SEA AND LAND represent in our lives as believers. In the creation story, the sea existed before the formation of land. The water was the entire earth because, even under the land, there is water. The sea is often used as a reference point to describe the level of land, and it nourishes the land. Growth in the sea is inward (e.g., fish), while growth on land is outward.

Darkness initially covered the whole expanse of the sea. This is where darkness finds its place, and this is where the Spirit of God hovered. In relation to our journey, the SEA/WATER represents the areas of our lives that saturate, permeate, and nourish the platform for our growth (land). In Genesis 2, before it rained, water seeped through the land to nourish it. Our internal growth (sea/water) is a yardstick for our outward growth and heavily influences it.

So what do the land and sea represent in our lives as believers? The LAND  is our HEART and the SEA/WATER  represents our SPIRIT MAN. Our hearts support our growth in our journey. This understanding comes from the parable of the sower, where the seeds (the word) are sown in the land (our hearts). Our heart determines our outward growth, as seen in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV): "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it," and Proverbs 23:7 (KJV): "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." From one of my previous posts ''The Fertile Heart'' the role of the HEART in our journey as believers is extensively explained.

The sea, as our spirit man, saturates our heart and serves as a yardstick for the growth in our hearts. This is where darkness existed before God brought light. He who is joined with God is one spirit with God, and without God’s spirit, darkness prevails. When we receive the gift of salvation we receive the Holy spirit, Now because light has come the spirit of God can now be joined with our spirit and we become one, for unbelievers the spirit hovers over darkness to convict.  From further study we also know that the Living Water is the spirit of GOD.

Without the help of water the land can not yield any form of growth, the same way without the spirit the seeds[word of God] sown into our hearts wont be able to yield substantial growth.

In the creation timeline, after the land and sea, growth follows. Plants grow from the land. God sets the stage for growth in different areas of our lives by preparing our hearts and placing us in environments conducive to learning and growth.

Next, God created the animals in the sea and on land. This represents the stage where life forms can now exist and flourish because the necessary growth has occurred. Similarly, in our Christian journey, once we’ve grown, God can bring life into our lives, and others can begin to benefit from our growth. 

Following this, God created the MOON AND THE SUN.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:14, "Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years."

These celestial bodies, the sun and moon, weren't just created to illuminate the Earth. They were also designed to be guiding lights, marking the passage of time and seasons. God, the Ultimate Source of Light  God Himself is the source of all light, both physical and spiritual. Yet, in His wisdom, He created the sun and moon to govern the day and night, reminding us of the importance of light in our own lives.

Just as the sun and moon mark the changing seasons on Earth, times and seasons are also crucial in our spiritual growth. These seasons can be times of challenge, testing our faith, or periods of flourishing and sharing God's light with others.

A Season of Limelight and illumination; The creation of the sun and moon can be seen as a landmark in God's creation story. It's a period where His handiwork – the Earth itself – becomes illuminated for all to see. In the same way, there comes a time in our own spiritual journeys when our growth and God's work in our lives become more evident. This is a season to let our own light shine brightly, reflecting God's love and leading others to glorify Him (Matthew 5:16).

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Finally, God created man and woman, giving them dominion over all creation. The creation of mankind represents marriage. This covenant of marriage signifies a unique relationship, the only life that has a covenant with our life.  Unlike the animals that gain from growth on land and see , none had any covenant with the land except Man. 

Growth continues throughout life until we reach the final stage—rest.

- Before it rained, Genesis 2 says, "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land." Don’t expect rain from God when there isn’t growth yet.

In what sense ?

There can’t be rain when there’s no growth, rain comes to allow and sustain growth.

Before then the mist is the same water that the spirit is hovering upon . So from below that mist is the only source of sustenance of the land “your heart” during the times when you’ve not started growth, 

But once you’re ready for growth there’s an outpouring of the spirit of God on your heart that marks the beginning of growth .

The creation story depicts our journey as Christians. It is the first part of the Bible and reflects our journey from darkness to light and growth.  The EARTH as a whole is US ,THE TEMPLE OF GOD, OUR LIVES. 

What stage are you in now? 

What have you learnt?,

Please i would be happy to receive your contributions on this perspective , anything i missed and don't forget to share to your friends. GOD BLESS YOU!