Daily Devotional - Genesis and Identity: Discovering 'Very Good' in Diversity

Hello everyone! Welcome back! Today, we're delving into the daily devotional, offering a brief thought to start your day positively. If you have the time, I encourage you to read Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 in your preferred Bible translation before continuing with this post. For those with limited time, here’s a summary focusing on a key passage:

"In Genesis 1:26-31, God says, 'Let us make humanity in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' God created humanity in God’s own image, male and female, and blessed them with fertility and stewardship over the earth. God saw all that was made and declared it 'very good.'"

For many in the queer community, this passage from Genesis has often been viewed through a lens of exclusion or limitation, with phrases like "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" reinforcing traditional gender norms. However, what if we could approach this text differently?

Here, we encounter a God who, having created everything else, decides to fashion humans in the divine image, encompassing the full spectrum of God’s identity. This creation includes two beings, reflecting the complexity and diversity within the divine nature. God views these humans as not merely good, but "very good."

In the Bible’s creation story, God makes clear that, out of all of creation, human beings are created in God’s image. That God is referred to in the plural in this passage could even suggest the idea of God containing a diversity of identities within God’s own mysterious and infinite self. The assurance that all human beings are created in God’s image reminds us from the start, that everyone is a sacred creation, and that God’s image is broader than our own experience and understanding. Someone may look — or love — differently than you do, and still, simply by being a human, reflect the image of God. 

One of my colleagues, Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin Australia’s first out Transgender priest, explores this passage in her website trans spirit flourishing, and invites us to embrace the beautiful spectrum of gender identities. In her reflection, Jo says when the Bible speaks about God creating humanity “male and female,” this is meant to include all individuals, not exclude anyone. Just as God created the spectrum of “day and night,” which includes border elements like dawn and dusk, so too did God create a spectrum of gender identities.

The authors of Genesis weren’t attempting to write a scientific treatise or define marital relationships; their aim was to explore deeper truths about identity: that each person is created for community, both with others and with the Divine.

These identities we hold aren’t obstacles to these relationships; rather, they mirror the diverse facets of the Divine. When we bring our whole selves into community, we more accurately reflect the true nature of God to the world.

Reflection Questions:
How does reconsidering this passage affect your interpretation?

How does it feel to embrace the idea of being "very good" as intended by God?

In what ways does the concept of community as a reflection of God resonate with your own experiences?

Practical Exercises:
Share a selfie on social media with the caption "I am made in the image of God and I am VERY GOOD."

Look into a mirror and affirm, "I bear the image of the Divine."

Create a self-portrait that celebrates your diverse identities, adding the words "I was created in the Divine Image."

That wraps up today's devotional! I trust this message has started your day on a positive note. If it resonated with you, please show your support by liking this video and subscribing for more uplifting content. Thank you for being here today, and remember – embrace your individuality! Until next time, take care and keep a positive outlook!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection on Genesis transformative encounters).
Image Title: "Very Good" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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