Tuesday, May 31 – Genesis 2:7

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person.

Have you ever read a self-help book? An expert on a particular subject gives their advice on how to develop as a person in a certain way. They bring up a different perspective and share their ideas based on their expertise. God is all-knowing and the author of life, and we see this truth throughout Scripture. People are created in His image, sustained through Him, and redeemed by Him. If anyone is an expert on life, it is God. Jesus echoed this in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” If it’s true that God created life, knows life, and has a purpose for life, why is it so hard for followers of Jesus to trust His word over our own experiences?

We all have been hurt by people, feared people, or felt betrayed by people. When we experience these deep and unsettling emotions and situations, we readily forget to or justify why we ought not see others as image-bearers of God to love and value. God’s creation in humanity is precious to Him; and if it is precious to Him, it should be precious to us as followers of Jesus. The whole Bible reflects God’s love for people and His desire to dwell with His people. Will your life reflect that same love for people? Recognizing God as the author of life means we trust Him when He calls us to love others even when it takes us to inconvenient or difficult places.

• Who has God placed on your heart to love today?
• Who in your life is easy to love? Who is hard to love?
• Pray and ask God to open your eyes to opportunities around you to love others.