“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth…”

“I believe that God has made me and all creatures…” This is how Luther begins his explanation of the first article of the creed with this statement. Is it just me or do you forget about this sometimes, too? I mean, we flip to Genesis 1 and read about God being the Creator. But do we ever make the next logical step? That is to say that if God is the Creator, then we are...creatures.

Sure we spend much time throughout the day creating. We cook meals, we build things, we do work, we take care of things and people. We spend time creating and because we spend so much time creating and caring for and providing for, I have a tendency to start to think that I am The creator.

But when we recite the creed together we are brought down to earth...we are put in our proper place. I believe that God created. Everything with which I work is just a product of God’s ultimate creation.

Confessing that God is God and I am not, it’s in one sense humbling. It knocks me down a rung to two (or ten), it reminds me that I’m not the ultimate authority in my life or anyone else’s.

But the confession of God as Creator of Heaven and earth is also such good news. For it is God who has given me all that I have. It is God who provides for me. It is God who protects me from the Enemy. It is God who continues to sustain me in this life. When I start to believe that I am the Creator, that I am the one who provides and sustains, well that creates all kinds of anxiety. “Am I doing it good enough?” “Will I continue to sustain this?” “Will things in my life continue to work out as they have in the past?”

Into this anxiety and doubt and fear, Jesus speaks some rather mind-boggling words. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, not about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them…”.

Do not be anxious? How do I do that when there are so many things that must be done? How do I do that when so many people are counting on me?

The Catechism:

  • Read pages 133-163 (2017 Edition) in the Explanation section of Luther’s Small Catechism.

Questions for Reflection:

  • What does it mean to be human?

  • What does it mean to be made in God’s image?

  • Where is your favorite place in God’s creation?

  • What makes you most anxious? How is God addressing that area of anxiety in your life?

  • What is one question you have about this article? (Email Pastor Nick!)