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Read: Genesis 1:26-28
Listen: Genesis 1

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

The opening pages of Scripture provide a beautiful picture of fellowship. God is in perfect relationship—Father, Son and Spirit. God then creates humanity, not out of need, but to generously share the beauty of relationship with him. Man is in perfect relationship with God and the created world. But God considers it “not good” for man to be alone and creates woman (Genesis 2:18). Humanity in relationship with God alone was never the intention. God created people in his image to live in relationship with both God and each other. This is the powerful fellowship the early church makes a courageous commitment to (Acts 2:42).

As we live out true fellowship our relationships are like a mirror, reflecting God’s relational nature to the world. God didn’t create us to be just “God and me.” Rather, he created us for “God and we.” Our vertical, spiritual relationship with God is vital. We need time alone with God in his Word and prayer. We are incomplete without it. We also need horizontal relationships with other Jesus followers as we share life, pray and discuss our spiritual lives. True fellowship involves both relationships. If we do not engage in one or the other, we miss miss something core about what it means to be human.

TODAY: Consider both your horizontal relationships and your vertical relationship. Do you tend to focus more on one than the other? You need both relationships and the intersection of where they connect is powerful. Spend time in your journal or mobile device reflecting on where you need God’s help to bring your relationship with him into your relationships with others and vice versa.