Genesis: Little question, colossal conclusion

Ever get asked what seems to be a little question only to discover that it has a huge answer? Sort of like when your kid asks, "Where do babies come from?" Recently I was asked, "What do you think God did before the creation of the world?" Little did I realize the significance of the question at the moment.

You see, whatever God was doing pre-time is probably what he will be doing post-time. So once we are past the pretty descriptions of heaven, what will actually be happening for eternity? What are we being called to? I think the answer is "relationship within the trinity."

Jesus' prayer in John 17 seems so crucial to this concept. In it he affirms that he was sharing the glory and love of the trinity before creation (17:5, 24) and that he received blessings - work, words and the Name - from the Father. So before creation, the Trinity was sharing love, glory and gifts internally. That sharing spilled over into what we call creation and, more importantly, the creation of us. We are the product of a relational Trinity and follow Jesus back into that relationship.

The "so what" is that it demonstrates the core nature and identity of God to us. We are not called to serve the "unmovable mover" - a distant non-relational power - nor a tyrant seeking servants nor the "judge in the sky" who is watching for my next error to condemn me. We are made in the image of and called to return to a relationship. We function best in the here and now when we function in relationships. What we leave behind in legacy after death are relationships. What we cherish most are relationships. What Jesus established on earth was a community ("church" - followers in relationship).  Why? Because our core identity - the image of God from creation (Genesis 1:26-27) - is the image of a relationship. No wonder Jesus said the most important commandments are love God and love your neighbor.

And so that little question of "What do you think God did before the creation of the world?" is not such a little question after all. It only affects who I believe God is, why I was created, how I should live now and what to expect after death. Little question, colossal conclusion.

Luke 13:22-30; Narrow Way

He could have answered the question with a yes or no; but he chose to tell a story. He communicated far more than they were expecting. The answer is was launched with the words "make every effort". Above all else, he communicated the need for intentionality and not relying upon nationality, status or other passive factors in life. Just being a North American does not insure eternal bliss.

He then continued and added the wrinkle of finality. Once the door is closed, no one else will get in. All excuses, explanations and expectations will be for naught.

Then, as usual for Jesus, he adds a twist to the end. Not only will the door be closed to many who do not expect it, but it will be open for many that the "in crowd" did not anticipate.

So what sort of effort will I make today?