Here as in Heaven

Here as in Heaven

Creation

In the beginning, You created.

You created everything that ever will be

You spoke the complex universe into existence

Still you wanted something more

More than just “good”

You wanted “very good”

So you created us

You created man and woman

You breathed life into us

You made us in your image

The whole universe created to worship You

All of Creation to bring You Glory

And we get the special role of bearing your image

We get to look like You

And better yet we get to know You

We get to walk with You

You gave us a beautiful garden

You gave us potential

Seeds that need planting

Animals that need naming

Creation and cultivation

Life, creation, was beautiful

Fall

You gave us freedom

But we grew selfish

We faced temptation

We heard truth twisted

We bought sinister promises

We wanted to be like You

But we were already like You

Like poison we soon felt shame

Suddenly we saw we were naked

You came, as You do, and we hid

You called out to us

We listened and ignored

We continued to hide

When You finally confronted us

We pointed fingers and blamed each other

Now work is hard

Now we have pain in the joyful things

But even in our punishment, You showed us love and grace

You saved us from ourselves

You banished us for us

Redemption

There is hope

You in all of Your wisdom

You gave us whispers of hope

You gave us promises even in the garden

During our punishment, our curse,

Even then You promised hope

You gave Your son

He came to earth so humbly

He lived a perfect life

One that no man could

He showed us how to live

He was our example

More than that

He was a sacrifice

He took on our sins

He paid the price

He, who did not sin,

Became sin

He was convicted

Our sins imputed

He was killed

Tortured and died

All sinners’ death

Three days His body lay in a tomb

Three days until the war was won

Death was defeated

Jesus rose again!

With his resurrection,

He gives us hope

You, oh gracious God,

Have forgiven us

Now when You see us,

When You see the sinful humanity,

You see Jesus’s righteousness imputed on us

You see the Son of God

And now because of Jesus,

We are Your sons and daughters

Once again we belong to You

We are not orphans

We are Yours once again

We are freed

Restoration

Once again we can bear your image

Once again we can create and cultivate

Once again we bring Glory to Your name

Once again we can be like you created us to be

You created us to be more than we are

So everyday we should strive

We should grow

More today than yesterday,

More tomorrow than today

You are bringing Your home,

Heaven, down to us.

You are going to restore earth

To something greater than it’s ever been

You are using us to restore the earth

You have given us the Holy Spirit

To help us, guide us, encourage us, and

Strengthen us in You

You are always with us

You are Emmanuel

God with us

You are coming back

You will restore us

You will restore earth

You will make us whole

You make us complete

Here, on earth, as in heaven

To You, our Father, we pray

Help us to restore Your kingdom

Help us to stay faithful to you

Help us to seek reconciliation

Help us to use the gifts you’ve given

To bring glory to Your name

Help us to cultivate creation

Help us to keep sowing the seeds of your Kingdom

Help us bring Your Kingdom to earth

Here as in Heaven. Amen.