In Hebrew, the name of the first book of the Bible (Genesis) is “Beresheet”, which comes from the first word of the first sentence, which can be translated as, “In the Beginning”. I like to refer to this book as “the book of beginnings,” because this book lays the foundation for our faith; the entire premise of all that we believe is found “…in the beginning”:

“In the beginning, God created…” Genesis 1:1a

The Bible starts with a very simple, yet important statement: God is the Creator of ALL things. It is important to understand and accept that fact. God is the Creator, and everything in creation is from Him, of Him, and for Him. We also have to agree upon the fact that since He is the creator, He can do as He chooses with His creation.

Take for example an artist. An artist, who creates his own work of art, can decide all the elements of his work; He can choose where he wants every detail to be and the way he wants it to turn out. Nobody has the right to change or manipulate the art to fit their opinions or ideals.

My brothers and sisters, in the same way, it is important for us to understand that God is the Creator of all; He alone can choose what He wants to be in His creation and the way He wants it to be. Since we are part of His creation, it also follows that we don’t have the right to pick and choose what “works for us” within God’s economy:

“For the love of Messiah controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” 1 Cor 5:14-15

For those of us who consider ourselves God’s followers, at the moment we said “yes” to Him, we said “no” to ourselves. When we accept the fullness of His will and His plan for our lives, we begin to experience the abundant life that Yeshua spoke of (John 10:10).

Have you said “yes” to Him? Are you ready to fully surrender to His way?

Shabbat Shalom,

Moran