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The first creation story in Genesis is a kaleidoscope of patterns. We can see the pattern of the formation of the planet. First, there is light, then water, dry land, plants and animals, and finally people. Creation proceeds in a manner that would be recognizable to any earth scientist – even if time is measured in days instead of millennia.
When we read this Genesis text, we see a pattern to God’s work. Created in God’s image, we too are invited to create, observe our work and judge its worth.
We are invited to consider our patterns critically. Our lives follow patterns: daily, weekly, monthly and yearly patterns. Perhaps you work out, go for a walk, or drink a cup of coffee every morning. Maybe there’s a monthly meeting on your calendar. Churches follow patterns, too. Some are part of the liturgical year. There are also milestone patterns: baptism, communion, confirmation, and beyond.
We’re not always aware of our patterns. How many churches have a way that things “have always been done?” If we’re not paying attention, we might not even notice we’ve chosen to follow a pattern at all! Even the best pattern can benefit from occasional reconsideration.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “Crafted in Christ” by Katie Hines-Shah in the May/June 2022 Gather magazine.