In His Image

In the very first book of the Bible we see God model something for us—leadership. He does what leaders do, he takes the initiative for the benefit of others. This is what we see him doing in Genesis 1 and 2. He acts. He initiates. He does something. God looks into the darkness and chaos and he speaks light and life into existence. He creates stars, streams, and solar systems. He orders and arranges creation. God was not passive. He acted. And when he finished, he enjoyed his creation: “And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1: 21).

But God’s leadership was not only for his own enjoyment. It was also intended to benefit others. He creates man and woman to share and rule his creation with him. And he creates an environment where mankind can flourish. He puts Adam in a garden that is “pleasant to the sight” and is “good for food” (Gen 2:9). Then, he gives him a helper, Eve, who was literally hand-crafted to be Adam’s perfect companion.

So, God modeled leadership.

You might be thinking … that’s great, but what does it have to do with me? It has everything to do with you because you were created in God’s image. In Genesis 1:26, God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion . . . over all the earth.” Do you hear that? The first thing God says after proclaiming that He’s making us in His image is that He wants us to lead! He gave us dominion over his new creation so that we can mirror his leadership by taking the initiative for the benefit of others. So that we can bless others as he’s blessed us.

God designed us in his own image and then gives us dominion over his creation so that we can follow his example … and lead. We even see this beginning to play out before sin entered the world. Genesis tells us that just as God named creation (Gen. 1:5, 8, 10), so also Adam named creation (2:19-20).

Let’s follow God’s example of leadership. Like God, let’s take initiative for the benefit of others. Let’s create order and share the same love and blessings and grace that he so freely shares with us. And then, let’s enjoy it and acknowledging the one who has given us the ability to do so. Guys, as Authentic Men, let’s do this in our homes. Let’s do this in our work. Let’s do this in our marriage. And let’s follow God’s example by initiating for the benefit of others in the portion of the world he has entrusted to us.

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