Scripture: Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and God rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.
Thought for the Day: Someone asked me not long ago what name I wanted to be called. Anytime someone asks that question, I pause because too many thoughts go through my mind. She was asking if I wanted to be called “Pastor Frogge” or “The Most Reverend Bruce Frogge” (okay, that’s a little over the top). I suggested, “Bruce.” I know there are some ministers who insist on the titles, but I’m just glad people are not calling me “Pastor Dipstick” or “The Most Reverend Dipstick” or worse (or at least to my face). A name really does say a lot, and the Bible has multiple names for God. In the above passage, the Hebrew word we translate as God is Elohim. Its etymology is a bit sketchy, but its root means power or strength. This fits the storyline of the opening creation account as this transcendent God simply calls forth creation with words. But even more so, I like how this powerful otherworldly God takes time to rest from the creative work. We think of the power associated with God as that which would never need rest, but God is always reshaping our narrow views of all kinds of things. The moment we’re pretty certain we have God defined, God shatters our definition. We only have access to our finite reality when it comes to defining the infinite, and so we must always remember that God remains Holy Other than all the metaphors and analogies we might use to describe God.
Prayer: For all your mighty and grace-filled acts, O Elohim, I am thankful for the example of taking rest from the work that is done. It challenges my understanding of power. Amen.
NEW SERMON SERIES
BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
Genesis 1:26-27
