Righteous Action

We humans are great visionaries and planners. At least that's what we think.

When we envision something, maybe a job, or great wealth, social standing, maybe a visit abroad, we set about planning for it and working on schemes to achieve it. 

As we continue our study of Genesis, we once again, focus on Abram, learning about human nature of planning, scheming and strategizing. An ancient reflection of what we do till today, leading to the saying - "Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit" or man proposes but God disposes.

Abraham had immense wealth - and as all wealthy people, he needed an heir. So he set about planning for it.

First, he plans for his wealth to go to Eliezer of Damacus as he is called, a trusted steward and member of his household.

Then he tries to get a son through Hagar, Sara's maid.

Though Eliezer is a role model of an ideal elder son, a manager or a caretaker, and Ishmael (Abram's first born and Hagars son) does become a nation, neither were God's choice or His will.

So all of Abraham's plans come to nought. But what does fructify is Gods promise in the form of Isaac.

This situation is echoed throughout the Bible. We can plan and plan and scheme to the best of our abilities, but it is finally God who decides and decides for the best.

So, what does that mean? Does it mean we sit with folded hands or lay on the couch waiting for God to do something? No. As we had said in an earlier post, Gods works through people. 

God's plan often involves human beings actively participating. Your efforts, choices, and actions become the means through which God's plan unfolds. It's not about God doing everything while you wait, but about God working through you.

In Abram's case, his responsibility was to keep trying for a child through Sara, not fall prey to finding other ways to get a child. His human responsibility was to pray and take "righteous action" not alternative means. To fulfill His will, God does not need our help but needs righteous action in line with His will.

The action God needs will always be within our capabilities and abilities. He will never ask more than we can do.

Second is "Waiting on God" which often means seeking His wisdom, direction, and strength through prayer, contemplation, and studying sacred texts, rather than passively doing nothing. It's about discerning His will so you can act in alignment with it.

And then we have Faith and works: we know that faith without works is dead. While believing in God's plan is important, it's often seen as a catalyst for righteous action, not a substitute for it.

Bible Fact

Job's Daughters: In Job 42:15, it's mentioned that Job's daughters were not only beautiful but also received an inheritance along with their brothers, which was unusual for that time.

The Implications of a Choice

 

Read Genesis Chapter 13 

The Bible indicates that being wealthy is no sin, but wealth seriously increases a believer's responsibility. God's people should therefore view wealth with a sense of stewardship rather than ownership. (1 Tim 6 9-11). 

We see an example of this in Genesis chapter 13. We need to keep in mind that wealth, at that time, was counted by cattle, silver and gold, of which Abraham and Lot had plenty. So much in fact that the "land could not support them", basis which Abraham suggested a split. 

This is where we now see how our choices play out and implications of those choices. 

Abraham had the first right to choose but he gave that choice to Lot. He entrusted His future to God, walking by faith. 

This act by itself is an ideal for us to follow, living our life in such a way that others see the love we share for one another. 

Lot "lifted up his eyes" to see carefully and identify the best land for himself, without a thought for Abraham. 

Lot chose selfishly and his selfish choice would prove disastrous because in the long-term Sodom, which was situated in the same area, would draw Lot into its fold and its ways. 

However, Abraham left that choice to God and he was blessed. 

What an ideal lesson for us today. How do we choose? How do we decide? Is wealth and our interest the main consideration? Will our choice not include the well-being of others? 

When we allow God to guide us in the choices we make, making our desire, will and human logic subservient to His, those choices and decisions are blessed. When we let our own minds and desire rule those choices, we are bound to end up in dangerous situations, as did Lot. 

The 7 Promises to Abraham

Read Genesis 12

Post floods the world moved on and we come to Abraham, originally named Abram by his father Terah. Joshua 24: 2 tells us that Terah worshipped other God's as did their community. So Abraham actually grew up in an idolatrous family and nation. While the Bible doesn't give a detailed "conversion" story in the modern sense, it clearly presents that Abraham's transformation into a follower of the one true God was a result of God's direct call and revelation to him.

God chose Abraham.

It is said of Abraham that the symbol of his life was a tent and the secret of his life was an altar. Rarely do we read of Abraham living in a city and the altar speaks of his fellowship with God. He built an altar on every milestone of His fellowship, four in all.

Why did God choose Abraham? Well because it was His sovereign choice and because He knew Abraham's character, his faithfulness, obedience and trust. God always looks beyond the obvious.

Thus God chose Abraham as a central figure in His redemptive plan, recognizing and rewarding his faith and obedience, and intending to establish a chosen people through whom He would ultimately bless all humanity. But to do that Abraham needed to have clarity as well, thus a covenant was formed, with 7 promises laying the groundwork for God's redemptive plan for humanity through Abraham's lineage. These promises covered various aspects of Abraham's life and his future descendants. 

These promises were also preceded by a command: get out of your country and family.

God often needs us to get out of our comfort zone and move out to establish Him in other places. That has been the theme from day one: go out, populate and manage the earth and establish a community of God's people. That command still exists today. Establish a community of God's people.

All the promises God made to Abraham revolve around this end objective

The question is, are these seven promises made to Abraham still valid for us today?

This is a fundamental question in Christian theology, and the answer is a resounding yes, but with a crucial understanding of how they are fulfilled and applied.

Here's a breakdown of how the seven promises made to Abraham are understood to be valid for believers today, particularly in Christianity:

1. Fulfillment in Jesus Christ:

The New Testament, especially the Apostle Paul's writings, emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham (Galatians 3:16). He is the one through whom all the promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

2. "I will make you a great nation" and "I will make your name great": While Abraham's physical descendants formed the nation of Israel, the "great nation" and the "great name" are ultimately fulfilled in the spiritual family of God. Through Christ, believers from every nation become part of a new spiritual "nation" and share in the "great name" of Christ.

3. "I will bless you" and "You shall be a blessing": These are spiritually fulfilled in Christ. Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). As followers of Christ, we are also called to be a blessing to the world, demonstrating God's love and truth.

4. "I will bless those who bless you" and "I will curse him who curses you": These promises, while having historical applications to Israel, are now understood in a spiritual sense. Those who bless God's people (the spiritual "seed" of Abraham) are blessed, and those who oppose God's purposes and people face divine judgment.

5."In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed": This is the most direct and clear promise that applies to everyone. It is fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who came from Abraham's lineage to bring salvation and blessing to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or background, who believe in Him.

In summary, yes, God's seven promises to Abraham are still valid for us today, but they are understood through the lens of their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and through faith. Believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, are considered the spiritual descendants of Abraham and therefore heirs to the spiritual blessings of the covenant, especially the promise of salvation and being a blessing to the world. The promise of the land of Israel, however, retains a unique and specific application to the Jewish people.

The Genesis of Murder

Read Genesis Chapter 4

Genesis is a book that documents the first moments of human failure after creation—the first lie, the first deception, the first rebellion, the first sin, the first sacrifice, and the first murder. Each event shapes humanity’s ongoing struggle between obedience and disobedience, faith and rebellion.

Cain and Abel: A Deeper Story

The story of Cain and Abel is as well-known as Adam and Eve’s, yet it carries profound lessons that go beyond the obvious jealousy and violence. It serves as a powerful reminder of faith, obedience, and the continuous relationship between God and humanity.

Even after the fall, God did not abandon mankind—His presence remained. The story of Cain and Abel reveals that despite separation from Eden, people still had a choice in how they approached God.

Beyond Jealousy: The Root of Cain’s Actions

The divide between Cain and Abel was deeper than simple envy—it was about faith vs. empty obligation.

· Abel’s offering was given with genuine gratitude and faith, reflecting a heart aligned with God.

· Cain’s offering, however, was done as a formality, without sincerity—an action without true devotion.

Cain’s rebellion against God’s correction led him to reject divine guidance and choose his own path, ultimately leading to the first recorded murder in the Bible. His punishment—banishment and separation from God —was a direct consequence of his defiance, rather than reflection or repentance.

David Jeremiah’s commentary highlights: "Cain’s response to God hints at why God did not respect Cain and his offering. Those who become angry when corrected reveal selfish hearts. Cain rejected God’s authority by ignoring His invitation to make the right choice."

Applying These Lessons Today

Cain’s mistakes mirror modern struggles in faith and integrity. To avoid similar patterns in our own lives, we should:

· Offer to God with joy and gratitude – Give willingly from what we earn, not as an afterthought. If giving to God is a burden, it’s better not to give at all.

· Accept God’s correction humbly – Do not reject His authority, wisdom, or discipline when faced with truth we may not like. Accept responsibility for our mistakes. 

· Reflect God’s presence in our daily lives – If we are honest in our relationship with God, it will show in how we treat others. Integrity in faith leads to integrity in work, relationships, and decision-making. 

· Avoid rebellion in everyday actions & Accept responsibility – Misusing resources, rejecting correction, shifting blame, always criticizing (without a solution) or escaping responsibility through lies are signs of a rebellious and weak character—echoing Cain’s own downfall.

Cain’s story is a powerful reminder that obedience, humility, faith and sincerity are essential in a faithful walk with God. 

The Genesis of Deception

Genesis 3:1 – "Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?"

Genesis 3:4-5 – "The serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die! For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’"

Does Satan lie or deceive? Interesting question so let us understand it and the difference. 

Satan primarily deceives though lying is one of his tools. Lying and deceiving are closely related and often used interchangeably, but they have distinct nuances.

Lying involves making a false statement with the intention to mislead. Deception, on the other hand, misleads without necessarily lying - through omission of facts, or creating misleading statements which are not necessarily lies. It often exploits the other person's assumptions, expectations, or cognitive biases. It is more subtle—it involves twisting truth, creating doubt, and leading people astray (Revelation 12:9).

In short, deception is mostly based on an aspect of the truth, making it plausible, and difficult to detect.

That is exactly what the serpent did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan didn’t just lie outright—he twisted God’s words to make disobedience seem appealing (Genesis 3:1-5).

He played on Gods command and advice, quoted God (as a question) and gave a plausible, attractive reason, at the same time not telling Eve of the consequences.

Deceiving is Satan's strategy. He does not go around making random false statements but uses our own weaknesses and plays on them.

Deception is a wider concept than simply uttering falsehoods. Satan's methods go beyond direct lies to include:

-Manipulation: Twisting God's words and intentions, as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden. He didn't outright say God was lying, but he reinterpreted God's command and motives.

-Creating Illusions: Planting ideas and perceptions in people's minds so that we think we are the author and therefore start justifying it, even though it may be false. This procedure is called auto suggestion.

-Exploiting Weaknesses: Targeting vulnerabilities and desires to lead people astray. 

-Half-Truths: Mixing elements of truth with falsehoods, making the lie more convincing.

For these reasons deception is much more dangerous than lies - because it is much more difficult to identify, and Satan excels at it. It speaks to his cunning, his strategic approach, and the ultimate goal of causing people to embrace falsehood and reject truth.

What can we do about it?

For starters we need to understand the "why" and the "how" of Satan's deception.

Why does Satan deceive people?

Satan is the enemy of all righteousness and doesn’t want anyone to follow the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He wants us to be miserable like he is (see 2 Nephi 2:27).

His target is God and Christ and their mission, and his way is through us people. The weaker and more fearful or impatient we are, the more we collaborate with Satan to defeat God's purpose. Think about that.

How does he deceive?

Eric B. Murdoch says - "Satan loves it when we feel discouraged. He wants us to believe that whatever is getting us down will be around permanently. But that’s just not true".

He works relentlessly to confuse us to believe that good is evil and evil is good (see Isaiah 5:20). To see examples of this simple fact, look around you and then find out what the Bible says about what you have seen.

Finally, how do we overcome Satan?

How do we not allow ourselves to become his tools to be used and thrown (you know where)?

First, we must decide in all honesty whether we want to become his tool. Somewhere deep down, are we willing to compromise, just a little, to achieve or attain something, just a little and willing to bend the rules, just a little? Is there anything that could make us give up on God, even for a brief moment or a day. Be honest. If the honest answer is yes, then we first need to work on correcting our own mindset and priorities. 

Second, focus on Jesus Christ: Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Anchoring ourselves in Christ and his teachings is paramount.

We can't do this alone. Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance: The Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of truth" (John 16:13) and helps believers discern truth from falsehood, even within ourselves.

finally, do we truly believe we are on level or more powerful than Satan by ourselves? Sorry. This is spiritual warfare, not the kind we read about in books, where strategy and plans come in handy and tanks and weapons and protective gear are required.

Being a spiritual war, we need to put on spiritual Armour, and we need spiritual weaponry. Therefore, put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18): This passage describes spiritual armor to withstand spiritual attacks, including deception. 

Use the Bible as your scale and weapon to refute lies and stand firm against deception, just as Jesus did when tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4).

Lastly, understand that he makes us believe in the concept of 'me first' - that I and my so-called happiness is more important than people and even God. (For example, certain things which were completely taboo in the past have been justified today and included in the mainstream as "normal".)

When we prioritize our own desires above everything else, including people and Gods word, justified in our own minds, we are opening up ourselves to deception. The desire is ours; the justification and prioritization are obligingly provided by Satan.

To counter this, we need our daily dose of the spirit. We need the "spirit of God" to help us through it, giving us the power to see through deception, by staying rooted in prayer, scripture, and discernment. 

The Genesis of Fear (and what we can do about it)

Fear can overtake every human being - Satan ensured that. But the difference between a believer and others is what happens after that. The response to fear.

The believer falls back on the Word of God, prayer and sharing with the Lord, and then experiences a calmness and peace of God. 

On the other hand, a non-believer gets into a frenzy, panics, gets into fits of rage, reacts, may scream, may abuse etc., finally succumb to it and lose their self-control.

This peace that true believers experience is beyond our understanding as the word says. It can only be experienced. This peace is not a delirium. It does not ignore the reality of danger but believes that he will overcome - because he has God on his side.

Fear entered the human existence after Adam and Eve disobey God in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 3:10. They likely feared Gods reaction to their disobedience.

But today, we have the peace of God available to us - a divine assurance of His presence through it all.

God's peace stands as an unshakable foundation for believers. It is not merely the absence of trouble but a deep assurance. The Bible says -

Philippians 4:7 – "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The peace God gives is different from what the world offers—it is lasting, unbreakable, and rooted in His presence.

John 14:27 – "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

When we place our trust in God, fear loses its grip, and His peace fills our hearts.

Isaiah 26:3 – "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

The Bible often reminds believers that fear is not from God, but rather a response to uncertainty or difficulties. Instead of succumbing to fear, scripture encourages trusting in God’s strength. But that means you have to believe Him first.

Adam’s story offers a deep insight into the concept of faith and human nature. While he knew God personally, lived in His presence, and was given direct instructions, his choice to disobey reflects our own relationship with God. We worship Him, we pray to Him, but do we really trust Him through all our troubles? Do we rest in His promises?

The Genesis of Sin and Atonement

                                             

Read Genesis Chapter 3

“Sin always produces the same result - separation from God”. - David Jeremiah

That Adam sinned (as did his wife) is a given. Let's think about what was Adam’s Sin? Disobeying God. What caused it? Symbolically speaking it was Gluttony (wanting/eating what you shouldn't) and avarice, or greed, in desiring wisdom and power (ambition).

Adam's sin has been inherited in us as well. In our greed, sometimes do we not overlook God and what He has said and advised?

They had the best of the best in every way, but their ambition to become what they were not meant to be brought about their downfall.

How did it happen? Presenting of Deception and half-truths by Satan (which he still does); rationalization by Eve, of what God said to suit her, thereby twisting and finally rejecting what God actually said. We do the same even today.

David Jeremiah explains the seriousness, consequences and effects of that sin (which hold true even today) in the Jeremiah Bible and we quote as below –

“when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and fell into rebellion, they lost three God given privileges:

1. Their intimate communion was broken: Adam and Eve hid from God

2. (Prior to Sin, they knew God as He is. Their minds were not clouded by falsehoods and half truths.) “ When they believed Satan, their knowledge was corrupted and their understanding of God was damaged. What God had said became twisted in their minds.

3. Perhaps most importantly, instead of knowing life as they had once known it with God, they began to know death.”

Please note that while we are physically alive, separation from God brings an immediate effect: Spiritual death. Which is why Jesus said to Nicodemus that one would need to be born again. Again, a truth of today.

What started out as a beautiful journey for man, ended in tragedy. Though God did not curse Adam and Eve like He did the serpent (He had already blessed them), judgement was pronounced. A judgement carried forward till this day.

What happened afterwards is as significant and a fore runner of the need of Jesus.

Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin and themselves, but their efforts were insufficient. God's act of providing proper clothing (covering them with animal skin) shows that reconciliation with God requires His initiative and provision, not just human effort.

The "garments of skin" involved the sacrifice of animals. This is the first instance in the Bible where blood was shed, and it foreshadows the concept of atonement through sacrifice for sin.

Just as the animal's skin covered Adam and Eve's physical nakedness, later in the Bible, animal sacrifices would symbolize the covering of sin through the shedding of blood. This ultimately points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity and salvation. A sacrifice provided by God, for us, to remove our sin. This is also known as the "proto evangel" - the earliest announcement of the gospel message in Scripture (Gen 3:15). It is not only a curse on the serpent, but also a ray of hope for humanity.

Thus, Genesis is not only a historical account of creation but also the reason for what happened thousands of years later - when we crucified Jesus.

(In fact, in the Greek version (and some others) of Genesis 3:15 uses the term "he and his " indicating one man (Jesus) not the entire posterity of eve).

Just as God initiated reconciliation then, He also initiated reconciliation through Jesus years later, making a full and final atonement.

Let us remember everything that Adam lost in the fall is exactly what people lack today without Jesus Christ.

Genesis: The Breath of Fire

Image is representative

Read Genesis Chapter 2 

Humanity has a unique origin and status: Adam is created in a distinct way, formed from the dust and given the breath of life by God. This is a profound and unique event, and it fires the imagination just to think about it. Even today, we have life because we breathe, and we breathe at Gods will and pleasure. Remember Job 27:3. 

God gave life to all creatures but only into man did He breathe life. How fantastic! This event was later replicated by Jesus when He breathed the Holy Spirit over His disciples. (John 20:22)

This event emphasizes humanity's special place in creation humans are a privileged lot but, as we all know from experience, along with privilege comes responsibility.

Just as we humans are unique, we have a unique multidimensional responsibility - vertical and horizontal.

Vertically Upwards - Responsibility towards God

Why did God make Adam? The key reason is to glorify God as God's crowning creation! Isiaah 43:7 clearly states this. Therefore, we need to live as an extension of God, His representative on earth, glorifying Him at all times.

Secondly To Participate in God's Kingdom: Throughout Scripture, there's a progressive revelation of God's plan for His kingdom. Humanity is invited to participate in this kingdom, living according to God's will and purposes, and ultimately experiencing the fullness of His reign.

From walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden to sending His Son, Jesus, to reconcile us, God actively seeks a loving relationship with His creation.

Vertically downwards

In Genesis we read that God handed over His world for us to look after. Let us not take this lightly. In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 14-30 Jesus highlights how important it is for us to look after the "property" of God (our master) and replenish it and build on it. But our Selfishness and greed do not replenish, they destroy. Therefore, responsible and unselfish stewardship is a very important responsibility we have, as stated in Genesis 1:28. This is not only to God but also to our earthly employers. The fact God made us in His image and placed us above all creation isn't a license for exploitation of His blessings but a responsibility to manage them wisely and justly, reflecting God's own love for His creation.

Horizontal

We are all created in Gods image and therefore reflect His qualities. One such quality is Gods relational nature - Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. God loves to build relationships with us, as He had with Adam and Eve, and He expects us to do the same with people around us. We need to live, as a family, as a community, in complete peace among ourselves.

This is one of the core messages of the commandments as well. 

Finally, He gave us free choice - the choice to live responsibly according to His will and design or live irresponsibly according to ours. This fact alone should convince us of the power of His love for us and His confidence and trust. Do we repay that love, confidence and trust with betrayal, as did Adam, Eve, Judas and scores of others including you and me? In Paradise Lost John Milton refers to our "mortal tast". The choice we have is - do we give in to our mortal tast or do we choose to trust and obey God?

The Genesis of Evolution

“Except for the divinity of Jesus Christ, no issue polarizes believers and sceptics as much as the question of the origin of our planet Earth. Is the world the result of divine creation or evolution.” – David Jeremiah.

Today, let us not focus on who is right or who is wrong - but on what we believe. 

We know that as Gods Spirit hovered over the face of the primeval waters; so did Gods Spirit hover over Moses’ hand as he wrote this Book of Beginnings. We know that the actual inspiration of the Book of Genesis is the Holy Spirit Himself who was present during the process of creation, as part of the triune, and this foundational truth invites us to view Genesis as the ultimate account of creation, focusing on why the world was made rather than merely how it came to be.

To really imagine the magnificence of creation as described in Genesis, we need to look around us. Recognizing the grandeur and complexity of creation helps us grasp the immense power and wisdom of God. Understanding creation’s beauty and order reveals the deep relationship between Creator and creation—a central theme throughout Scripture. Today, the world leaves us in awe, as creation continues to reveal mysteries that boggle the human mind. Even now, we understand only fragments of our origins—whether one looks to divine creation or evolution.

For instance, consider the deep sea, which covers 95% of Earth's living space and holds countless undiscovered species. Life might have begun here, yet its inhabitants astound us with their bizarre beauty—giant squids, colonies of cooperative organisms, and creatures whose size or behaviors defy imagination. Through advances like live-streamed ocean exploration, we can now witness these wonders firsthand, marveling at habitats we were once blind to.

On the other end of the spectrum are towering mountains like the Himalayas and Mount Everest, whose mysteries and majesty stretch the limits of human imagination.

If we want to have a glimpse of the world God had intended, read Isiaah 11 ver 6-9, Isiaah 65:25 and Revelations 21. 

And amidst these natural marvels, humanity stands as God's crowning creation—on whom God showered attention to create a being who is intricately and wonderfully made. Among all the earth and its creatures- the human creation inspired King David to marvel at Gods work.

And the most marvelous fact is that He made us in His own image!

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Genesis 1:27 KJV

This fact, in itself is so charged that it makes the mind boggle at the thought. Imagine, we are the very image of God. It maybe physical (we do not know) but we are definitely in His image spiritually.

This should remind us of the inherent dignity in every person, urging us to honor others and ourselves as bearers of God's likeness, regardless of flaws or differences.

The second fact that mesmerizes and which we don’t notice much, is that when God finished each part of creation, “He saw that it was good”. He was not giving Himself a pat on the back, but was referring to the fact that what He created was "good" for, and had a role to play in, His creation. It's time we took cognizance of this aspect of creation and learned to respect all that God Himself found good, which is His entire creation. Instead of misusing all the resources God gave us, we need to start respecting them and replenishing them, given that He made us stewards of His world.

Lastly, Genesis addresses the question of why did God actually create the world and us? Genesis Emphasizes the Divine Purpose in and of creation. Genesis 1:1 says - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse establishes that creation was intentional, reflecting God's sovereignty and purpose. It focuses on who created and why—to bring order and meaning to the universe. In Genesis 1:26-27 it goes on to say - : "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky..." thus making us "stewards" of His creation. 

Thus, Humanity is created with a specific purpose: to reflect God's image and steward creation. This highlights the why of human existence.

The Bible's teachings align with our divine purpose: to love and care for one another, to protect God’s world, and to revere and love the Creator and honor Him in all that we do. Understanding this helps us live lives of deeper gratitude and responsibility toward God and His creation.