Genesis 1:26–28 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
We Need to Get Our Value Back
When God speaks, life explodes into the expanse. Creation unfolds from the words of His mouth. “Let there be light,” and galaxies burst forth. Scientists estimate that there are approximately 200 billion trillion stars in the observable universe.
God speaks to the architecture of the earth, setting weather patterns in motion, forming land and sea, and filling creation with abundant life. With over 374,000 known plant species, 900,000 insect species, and millions more undiscovered, His creative power is beyond comprehension.
Yet, in the midst of this vast creation, God pauses. He breaks His creative rhythm for a divine dialogue: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This was not just another creation—this was intentional, deliberate, and divine.
We are not an afterthought. We are not a cosmic accident. We are the result of God’s intention and design. The Psalmist declares, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Job proclaims, “Your hands have made me and fashioned me, an intricate unity.”
God established three foundational truths about us:
- We are created in His image.
- We are created in His likeness.
- We are given dominion over creation.
The enemy works tirelessly to diminish our value, trying to reduce us to mere biological beings driven by instincts. But we must wake up and reclaim our God-given worth!
We Need to Get Our Authority Back
Genesis 1:26 says, “Let them have dominion…” The Hebrew word rāḏāh means to rule, dominate, direct, lead, control, and subdue. God created us to walk in authority, but Adam and Eve misused that freedom, allowing sin to corrupt what was meant for good.
Authority, when misused, leads to destruction. We see its abuse in governments, churches, workplaces, and homes. But authority, when used rightly, brings life, protection, and order.
God gave Adam and Eve freedom in the Garden, yet placed two trees at its center—the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Every tree in the garden was good, yet the one that led to death was forbidden. They chose death, and we make similar choices every day.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 declares: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life…”
We must reclaim our authority—not as tyrants, but as stewards. Authority should bring life, not destruction. It should reflect God’s dominion, not the world’s corruption.
We Need to Get Our Wonder Back
“And God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:28). Before man performed a single act of worship, before he offered a sacrifice or completed a righteous deed, God blessed him.
The first commandment God gave was not about restriction but about flourishing: “Be fruitful and multiply.” God’s plan has always been about abundance, not scarcity. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Yet, religion reduces blessing to something we must earn, ego convinces us we don’t need it, and fear tells us there’s not enough to go around. These lies rob us of walking in God’s provision.
To restore our wonder, we must see the world through the eyes of a child. Jesus said, “Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children find awe in the simplest things:
- A puddle is not an inconvenience; it’s an adventure.
- An escalator is not just transportation; it’s a ride.
- A ceiling fan is not just functional; it’s mesmerizing.
Childlike faith embraces the wonder of God’s presence, His Word, and His blessings. But too often, we approach the kingdom with childish behavior instead of childlike faith. Childishness is self-centered and impulsive, sacrificing the future for immediate gratification—like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.
When we reclaim our wonder, we recognize that we are not just blessed—we are called to be a blessing. God’s abundance is meant to flow through us, not just to us.
Walking in Dominion and Blessing
Reclaiming our value impacts how we see ourselves. Reclaiming our authority impacts how we lead. Reclaiming our wonder impacts how we approach life.
When we walk in God’s dominion and blessing, we take ownership of being salt and light in our communities. We maximize our influence, not in comparison with others, but in gratitude for the sphere God has given us.
Let’s get our value back. Let’s get our authority back. Let’s get our wonder back.
We are blessed to be a blessing.