We do not usually start our story until Genesis 3. Genesis 1-2 is the story of creation. Whether you take the creation story as literal or not, what we understand about ourselves in that story is remarkable. According to the biblical tradition humanity is not an accident, we were created out of peace and stillness, we were created out of unified love (“let us make man in our image), the created world was not incidental rather it was crafted with intention and purpose, communion and relationship are a part of our story, and man and woman were intended for intimacy and mutual self-sacrifice. Whether or not you take this story as literal or not, we are invited to be shaped by the truth that this is our genesis, this is our original purpose and intended beauty, this is who we really are. We are intended to be defined by peace, stillness, tranquility, fruitful activity, communion, purpose, relationship, and self-sacrifice for the sake of others. Are those markers that define us? Besides the fact that we have raped creation to the point of destroying beautiful species of animals and plants, we live our lives finding our identity in a post Genesis 3 story. We find our identity in our brokenness. Don’t get me wrong, we try to put a good spin on it, but do we not all see the bumper stickers that say “I’m not perfect, just forgiven”? Don’t we all understand Jesus’ saving work on the cross only in juxtaposition to our brokenness? Don’t we think about the coming of God’s future kingdom with some sense of worry concerning his judgement of our brokenness?

While I understand that there is some truth to the reality that brokenness is where we are at, we live in a broken world, we are broken people, and we find hope for healing in the work and life of Jesus Christ…BUT…that is one of the beautiful things about following Jesus…it’s utter foolishness! It was foolish for Mother Teresa to spend so much energy and time with people who are dying. She would have been better off finding healing and eternal salvation for these people right? It was foolish for Jesus to do what he did, to make himself human, to hang out with a bunch of Jews, to tell people to be quiet about his message, and to eventually allow humanity to kill their maker. It’s foolishness to not find your security in retirement and trust funds. Its foolishness to believe that you experience love more fully by giving more of yourself away. Its foolishness.

The invitation, I believe, is to act out of the reality that we put our hope in. The Christian message says that our identity is more clearly understood in Genesis 1-2 than in Genesis 3. The Christian story says that we have a hope in future kingdom (that is breaking in even today) where one day all peoples will be reconciled together with each other and with God. The beginning and end of our story is one of peace, communion, and joy…what if we did the foolish thing and tried to live out of this reality today?

**I feel the need to add that I also really recognize that for many this world just plain ol’ sucks. As a follower of Christ I hope to work toward hope for these people in their lives today (starving people need food, etc.) while also realizing that sometimes our only hope is in God’ future realized kingdom.