Photography by Nick Radivojevic
Marriages on the brink of collapse and lives bound by despair. Yet just as surely as God spoke light into existence, He spoke hope and healing into those lives. The same God who ordered creation is still restoring His children today.
The apostle Peter reminds us, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Creation and redemption share the same divine signature. God calls us out of darkness into His light and order. On the first day of creation, God declared, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). In Christ, that same creative command continues. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Depression, anxiety and despair may feel like a night without dawn, but the Creator shines His light into the darkest valleys. His light reaches beyond this life. Ellen G. White wrote: “The work of redemption involves consequences of which it is difficult for man to have any conception. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him’” (Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 162–163). The light God brings into our darkness today is only a glimpse of the far greater restoration He is preparing for us, a redemption more glorious than we can imagine.
Creation also brought order where there had been disorder. The waters were separated, dry land appeared, and seasons were established. Just as God placed boundaries in nature, He places divine order in our lives. If the One who orders the stars can maintain the heavens, He can surely put the pieces back together for those facing a broken relationship or a broken spirit. If you are in such a season, do not give up on your family, your calling, or yourself. The Creator who spoke galaxies into existence can also speak peace into your storm.
After filling the earth with light, beauty and life, God still declared that something was missing. Creation was incomplete until He made man and woman in His image. Scripture records, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). The world was not whole until His children were there to enjoy it with Him. In the same way, the promise of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1) will be incomplete if we are not there with our Creator.
In creation, God gave humanity dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28). Dominion was never exploitation. It was stewardship. Just as we are called to care for our homes, families and communities, we are called to care for the earth itself. How we treat creation reflects how we value the Creator. The sunrise, bird’s song and mountain majesty are gifts from God. His creation is both fragile and precious. We cannot claim to honor the Creator while neglecting His creation. Protecting the environment is not just good ecology. It is faithful discipleship.
The parallels between creation and redemption are unmistakable. At creation, God made something new out of nothing. In Christ, Scripture assures us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). At creation, He gave life to dust. In redemption, He breathes eternal life into sinners. At creation, He entrusted Adam and Eve with stewardship of the earth. In redemption, He entrusts us with the mission of caring for people and for His world.
If your life feels empty or dark, take courage. The same God who said, “Let there be light,” still speaks today. He brings beauty from ashes, order from chaos, and life from death. He restores the broken and makes all things new.
Let us therefore entrust our lives, our families, and our world to Him. For the Creator is also the Redeemer, and He has promised, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Elden Ramirez is Lake Union Conference president.
