Chapter 2 - Looking In the Mirror
Finding Your Identity
Genesis 1:3-5 - “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” (NKJV)
In a theological and metaphorical sense, Genesis 1:3-5 and the concept of 'looking in the mirror at your identity' are interconnected. 'Let there be light' represents God's gentle act of transforming darkness and formlessness into order and life. Finding our identity encourages us to seek clarity and purpose within ourselves.
The division of Light and Darkness symbolizes a fundamental separation, establishing the pattern of day and night while highlighting God's authority and dominion over creation.
Looking in the mirror involves self-reflection (with love) and discovering your true nature. It helps you recognize your innate traits as a creature, encouraging observation and understanding of yourself, including your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development.
From a biblical perspective, the mirror acts as a reminder that we are created in God's image, giving us inherent worth and dignity, while also emphasizing our reliance on our Creator. Once we identify ourselves in Christ, we can thoughtfully address our own brokenness.
This may also prompt us to reflect on areas of life that are out of sync with their divine purpose, recognizing the impact of sin and the need for REVIVAL and renewal. Using God's Word—the mirror—as a tool helps reveal truth and guide our hearts and lives toward His Will.
These two ideas are linked to light and discovery. Genesis 1:3-5 describes God's first act of creating light and bringing order to the universe. Looking at oneself in a mirror symbolically represents a personal journey of self-reflection and enlightenment, inspired by God's truth, which guides us toward discovering our true selves and aligning with His divine purpose.
Just as God's Word illuminated the world's darkness, His truth can also shine light on our inner darkness, guiding us as we seek self-understanding and to live in harmony with His beautiful design.
My strengths:
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My weaknesses:
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Areas for growth:
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What is your identity in Christ?
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If you haven’t had the chance to see the movie Overcomer, it offers one of the most heartfelt portrayals of ‘who I am as a child of God’ that I've ever seen. Bless yourself and your family by watching this film (and others like it).
Now would be a good time to consider going on a Family Scavenger Hunt to “find what your family treasures”. Book available on Amazon.
Brain Teaser:
Genesis 1:3-5 - “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”
This section states that the evening and the morning were the first day – not the morning and the evening. Interesting.
What do you think?
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Google AI Overview states:
In the biblical creation account, a day is described as "evening and morning" because the authors likely used the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a day, which began at sunset. This practice is reflected in the Jewish calendar, where the Sabbath and other holy days begin at sunset. While the modern world typically starts the day at midnight, the biblical method emphasizes the transition from darkness to light as the defining characteristic of a day.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
- Ancient Understanding:
In ancient times, particularly in the Near East, the day was often considered to begin with the onset of darkness, the evening. This is reflected in the Genesis creation account, where each day is described as "evening and morning".
The Jewish tradition continues to observe this practice, with days beginning at sunset. This is why the Sabbath, for example, begins on Friday evening and ends on Saturday evening.
- Metaphorical Interpretation:
Some scholars suggest that the "evening and morning" sequence in Genesis is not just a literal description of time but also a metaphor for the process of creation itself, moving from a state of potential or darkness to clarity and order, much like the transition from evening to morning.
- Modern Shift:
The shift to a midnight-to-midnight day is a more modern convention, likely influenced by the practical needs of a 24-hour society with clocks and schedules.
- Genesis Context:
In Genesis 1, the phrase "evening and morning" appears at the end of each day of creation, emphasizing that the full cycle of a day includes both the darkness and the light.
Brain Teaser:
Genesis 1:3-5 - “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”
When God rested, He called it the first day. Do numbers have symbolic meanings? Do you know what they are?
What do you think?
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Google AI Overview states:
In the Bible, numbers often carry symbolic meaning beyond their numerical value. They can represent spiritual truths, divine principles, or specific events and concepts. For example, seven signifies completeness and perfection, three represents divine completeness or the Trinity, and forty often denotes a period of testing or trial.
Here's a more detailed look at some key numbers:
- One: Unity, God, and new beginnings.
- Two: Union, division, witnessing, and marriage.
- Three: Divine completeness, perfection, the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Four: The world, creation, and earthly completeness.
- Five: Grace, God's goodness, and the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible).
- Six: Man, human imperfection, and the earthly realm.
- Seven: Spiritual completeness, perfection, and divine rest.
- Eight: New beginnings, new life, and resurrection.
- Ten: Completeness, law, and responsibility.
- Twelve: Governmental perfection, God's people, and divine authority.
- Forty: Testing, trial, and a generation.
- Seventy: Judgment, a larger group, or a period of captivity.
It's important to note that biblical numerology is not the same as the modern practice of numerology. The Bible's use of numbers is primarily symbolic and serves to enhance understanding of spiritual truths and narratives.”