Read this passage out of Genesis 5.

In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 5:1a-2

Now that’s odd. My whole life in church and out of church, I have never heard a message preached on this point. And called their name Adam. Together, male and female they were created in the image of the living God. He named them. And they shared one name.

Let that soak in for a minute. This truth was profound for me. Because woman is not bound to the kitchen, or the bedroom. She is a co-ruler with her man. Both of their strengths were blessed by God. Both of them were given His image, to reflect Him differently for sure. But there is no thoughtof him better or her better. They are both uniquely made and uniquely gifted. And wholly loved by their Creator.

Am I saying that women and men are the same? I am not. However it is profound that they shared ruling, they shared a name, they shared God’s image. Our pastor, Rick Dunn, once remarked that God reached in near the heart of man and pulled out the “other face of God hidden there.” I love that, the other face of God.

God made her separate and yet a part of him.

Unique but unified.

One but individuals.

Two ruling together as one.

God was not done until both the man and the woman were made. They walked with their maker, and made love in the presence of their maker, and they found unity and trust and relationship with no interruption.

The man and woman were both naked and they felt no shame.

Remember, shame means to take away honor. Dis-honor. It is “a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy” says a web dictionary. But in the garden there was no shame…No awareness of anything lacking. No “less than.”

 In the garden there was honor. There was fullness. There was freedom, peace, and trust. There was selfless love. There was intimacy, with each other and with their Maker. Talk about paradise. No wonder we yearn for that kind of relationship.

Excerpt taken from Unhindered, Chapter 40.

Let’s Get Real Here:

What emotions stir in your heart when you hear “naked and unashamed” ? What places do you feel lacking? What do you think about being the other face of God?