Understanding God, Myself, and the WorldExemple

### The God who creates When we look around us, we often see chaos, brokenness, suffering, and evil in the world. Many times, we also experience these things within our own lives. From our perspective, it might appear as if everything is just a string of random, chaotic events with no meaning and no purpose. This can also leave us feeling meaningless and purposeless. Isn’t God in control? Doesn’t He care about us? Is He really involved in our lives? There are two very important descriptive names of God that hold huge implications for us as human beings when dealing with these kinds of questions. The Bible describes God as both the Creator and the Father.  As Creator, God made us for a purpose. We are not random beings floating into and out of existence. We were made for a reason. Our lives have meaning and beauty. As Father, God lovingly creates us. We are wanted and welcomed into existence. In Biblical language, we are called into existence by God. Revelation 21:1-7 presents God to us as Creator and Father. He is the Beginning and the End. All things start with Him, and all things are made unto Him. He also re-creates heaven and earth and removes all chaos, evil, suffering, and death. It is a “new heaven” and a “new earth.” The first heaven and first earth, filled with failure and regret, have passed away. “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” For those who are believers in Jesus, this re-creation is already present in our lives through the Holy Spirit who gives us rebirth and makes us walk according to the ways of God. We already, through the Spirit of God, taste something of God’s new creation which will one day be fully realised at the return of Christ. The Holy Spirit also testifies that we are adopted as children of God the Father. We can know Him intimately and be known by Him intimately. Take some time to read Psalm 8 and Romans 8. Reflect on the parts that speak of God as the Creator and Father. Do you know Him as your Creator and Father? Spend a few minutes in prayer where you ask God to reveal His fatherly heart to you. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you in the areas of your life where you still experience chaos, brokenness, and suffering.