Created in and as Love: Reborn in and as God’s Image (Oratio Divina)

Not merely a creation
we are being created
and recreated
as creation itself
born and reborn
in and as the very image
of the very God
the very love
that created
and is creating
all of creation
from His very breath
His Word
His Wisdom
His Spirit
how fortunate are we
the beloved
to be loved
and given the chance to love
creating love out of love
until all there is
is love
~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Reflection: Creation was not a one-time event. God did not create the universe and then suddenly stop creating. Every thing, every animate and inanimate thing (if there is such a thing), is the expression of the active and living creation of God, happening now, an unbroken cycle of self-giving love that began at the moment He breathed His first Word into existence and which has never stopped happening since that moment. We are created. We are creation happening. We are life happening. We are love happening.

And if it is true that we were and are created in God’s very image and likeness, and it is truer than we can fathom, then we are not only created, we are not only creation happening, we are also creators, creators of life, of love, and even of the very God who created us. As German mystic Meister Eckhart said, “We are all meant to be mothers of God… for God is always needing to be born.” In other words, as God brought, and is bringing us into existence, we are responsible for bringing God into existence through the very breath, wisdom, and spirit gifted to us by God. As He has loved and is loving us, we are to bring love to life by living lives of perpetual self-giving creativity (John 13:34-35).

Question for Meditation: How are you being recreated in, by, and for love today?

Scripture: “And now, dear children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” — 1 John 2:28 (NIV)

For Futher Reading: If you found truth and value in this reflection, you may also enjoy Oratio Divina: Love Awaits which explores the idea of God’s love and our identity in Him.