There’s usually a reason for repetition. It’s often an invitation to lean in, to draw near, to pay attention. 

Throughout the story of Creation in Genesis 1, there’s a phrase that’s repeated seven times. (In the Bible, seven is the number of completion, perfection, fulfillment.) That phrase is: “And God saw that it was good.” Actually, the first usage is slightly different, as well as the seventh. The first time it says: “God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” After He had made people, it says: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” And then, on the seventh day, He rested. 

When He saw each part of His creation, it was good. And when He saw all of His creation, including humans, it was very good. 

And yet, we’re often told that we’re not good. That we’re sinful, evil. Yes, we’re prone to sin and need a Savior. We were separated from God and Jesus made a way for us to have relationship with the Father. 

But also, God made us. He created us. He made us good. He made us in His image. He breathed His breath of life into us. He sees the good in us. 

One of my kids has a birthday this week. And while we’re preparing for the celebrations and embracing all the moments, I’m reminded of something I’ve told him over and over, since he was a toddler. “You are good; be good.”

When he was misbehaving or making bad decisions, I didn’t tear apart his character. I tried to not respond in negativity. 

I called out his identity. His true self. I reminded him that God made him good, and he can choose to live from that place. That he’s already loved. He doesn’t have to earn it; he just is. 

Because he and I are so much alike, I could speak to his heart how mine needed to be addressed. With grace, care, and compassion. 

The world, and the people in it, offer us so many mixed messages. You’re bad. Your heart is evil. We love you, but we don’t like you right now. Get it together. You should try harder, be better. The list goes on. 

What if there’s a better way? 

Because for some of us, you can’t separate being loved from being liked. You struggle to see past your faults and weaknesses to see your strengths and goodness. You have a hard time receiving love until you’ve proven yourself worthy. The striving never stops. 

And that’s not the way that Jesus wants us to live. 

God doesn’t create trash. And He doesn’t make mistakes. May His view of you, His truth about you, be louder than the enemy’s.

It’s my prayer this week that you would look to God for your identity. That you would seek Him out for your value and worth. That you would know that you are good, and then be good. (Notice that it’s not “you are good, so do good.” It’s about living from a place of being.)

You are loved; be loved. 

❤️