Man, Fish, Tree

by Jon Hathorn on January 08, 2021

"In the beginning, God created..." Genesis 1:1

I read a really creative short story recently reminding me that of this verse. But before you read the story, please notice this. In order for God to create anything in the beginning, He had to already exist. God is older outside of time. He created time. That is incredible. He has always been.

God created fish, He created trees, and He created man. When God created the fish, He spoke to the sea. When God created the trees, He spoke to the earth. BUT, when He wanted to create man, He turned to Himself. That's when God said, "Let us make man in our own image."

Here's the interesting part: If you and I take a fish out of water, it will die. If you and I take a tree away from the soil, it too will die. In a similar way, you and I must choose to connect with God or we will die and be separated from God. Being in fellowship with God is our necessary environment. We were created to live in His presence. We have to be connected to Him because only in this relationship do we really exist. Our spirit was meant to be one with His.

This is a great reason for connecting with God each Sunday in Worship. This is also a good reason to take a few moments to read His Word each day and pray. And this is also a good reason to join a small group and connect with other people who love Him. Lastly, this is a good reason to share with others the connection that you have made with God.

Don't forget. God was before time, and in a relationship with Him, we make a connection to eternity.

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."