Genesis 1:31 reveals a powerful truth about God's character: He is a God of order, purpose, and intentional design. In this devotional, Deidre Braley explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how His orderly nature is reflected throughout creation. From the boundaries He established in the natural world to the systems that allow life to flourish, God demonstrates that order is not restrictive—it is life-giving. As believers, we are called to reflect His character by bringing peace, clarity, and purpose into the spaces we influence.

Highlights
God’s creation reveals His nature as a God of order and purpose.
Being made in God’s image means reflecting His character in everyday life.
Order creates space for people, relationships, and communities to thrive.
Stewarding our homes and possessions can be an act of worship.
Healthy systems and organization help good work flourish.
Peacemaking reflects God’s heart and brings stability to relationships.
Christians are called to bring clarity and hope into chaotic situations.
Small acts of intentionality can create lasting impact in our daily lives.

Join the Conversation

Where do you sense God calling you to bring greater order, peace, or purpose into your life? Have you experienced how creating healthy rhythms and boundaries has helped you grow spiritually?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

What it Means to Be Made in the Image of an Orderly God

By Deidre Braley 

Bible Reading:

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31 NIV

Marie Kondo is known as one of the world’s most beloved tidying experts, and one day she convinced me that the path to inner peace would be to pull all of the clothes out of my closet and throw them on my bed to be analyzed, one by one. I had just watched the first episode of her show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, in which she teaches her proteges to ask this question: When I touch this item, does it spark joy? If the answer is yes, then the item gets to stay. If the answer is no, the directive is to thank the item for its service and then bid it adieu. 

Even if this sounds a little woo-woo, I have to say that after I had removed a great many joyless items from my wardrobe and reorganized the rest of my clothes back into the closet, I felt an internal sigh of relief. I did feel more joyful. I felt as though a burden had lifted, as though a weight I’d been unwittingly carrying around for years was suddenly gone. 

In 1872, John Wesley preached, “Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness,” and though he was talking specifically about the way a person dressed and cared for their appearance, I think he was pressing on a deeper spiritual truth, too. Cleanliness is the visual representation of order, and our Creator is, as evidenced by creation, a God of order.

If you look carefully at the creation story, you will notice that God did not just bring all things into being—he also gave them each a designated spot, a boundary for existence, a specific space in which to thrive. He separated the light from the darkness, giving both their time to reign, as day and night. He gave each plant one specific fruit to bear. He told the sea how far it could go and then said, “No more.” Biblical scholar Rachel Smith describes God’s work in a way that Marie Kondo would approve of: “It (the world) was designed to run well and to be a well-ordered environment for its occupants. This is the sense of good in the creation account. Everything God created He declared good because it acted within its purpose and provided benefits” (Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God, pg. 62-63).

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

What does it mean to bear God’s image? It means to care about the things he cares about, and to reflect his character out into the world. And one of the things that God cares about is order, which creates space for life to thrive. When we enter into chaos and bring disorder back into equilibrium, we are doing the work of God. Here are some practical areas where we might do that today. 

In our physical spaces

 
Declutter one area of your home. Choose a junk drawer, a closet, or a bedroom. Remove everything, and only put back what serves a purpose or, per the advice of Marie Kondo, brings joy. Give each item a designated space, and then, if you can, bring a little extra beauty to that area. Organize by color. Add flowers. Freshen with a scented sachet. 
Is there a time of day that feels particularly chaotic? Create a ritual to help it go more smoothly. If morning times are hectic, for example, pre-set your coffee pot the night before. Lay out your clothes. Wake up ten minutes earlier. Light a candle while you eat breakfast. See how these adjustments bring a sense of peace to what used to feel overwhelming. 

In our workplaces


Administration may not be glamorous, but it is essential for bringing order. If you have the gift of administration—that is, organizing information, communication, and actions into systems that run smoothly—put it into practice in your workplace. Good structures help good work to thrive. Be a problem solver. If you see that something is not working and have an idea for how to fix it, say something. Be someone who steps into situations and brings clarity and excellence. 

In our communities 
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). In our communities, bringing order looks like bringing peace—to relationships, to organizations, to broken systems. When we step into disordered situations or strained relationships in our neighborhoods or even global communities, we are reflecting God’s image by bringing equilibrium. This could look as simple as serving on the PTA and being a voice of calm and reason when the meetings get heated, or it could look like serving in outreach ministries to provide for the real, everyday needs of neighbors. 

Further Reading: 

Genesis 1:1-31

Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God by Rachel Booth Smith

 

Genesis 1:31 reveals a powerful truth about God's character: He is a God of order, purpose, and intentional design. In this devotional, Deidre Braley explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how His orderly nature is reflected throughout creation. From the boundaries He established in the natural world to the systems that allow life to flourish, God demonstrates that order is not restrictive&mdash;it is life-giving. As believers, we are called to reflect His character by bringing peace, clarity, and purpose into the spaces we influence.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>God&rsquo;s creation reveals His nature as a God of order and purpose.</li>
<li>Being made in God&rsquo;s image means reflecting His character in everyday life.</li>
<li>Order creates space for people, relationships, and communities to thrive.</li>
<li>Stewarding our homes and possessions can be an act of worship.</li>
<li>Healthy systems and organization help good work flourish.</li>
<li>Peacemaking reflects God&rsquo;s heart and brings stability to relationships.</li>
<li>Christians are called to bring clarity and hope into chaotic situations.</li>
<li>Small acts of intentionality can create lasting impact in our daily lives.</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
Where do you sense God calling you to bring greater order, peace, or purpose into your life? Have you experienced how creating healthy rhythms and boundaries has helped you grow spiritually?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
What it Means to Be Made in the Image of an Orderly God
By Deidre Braley&nbsp;
Bible Reading:
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning&mdash;the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31 NIV
Marie Kondo is known as one of the world&rsquo;s most beloved tidying experts, and one day she convinced me that the path to inner peace would be to pull all of the clothes out of my closet and throw them on my bed to be analyzed, one by one. I had just watched the first episode of her show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, in which she teaches her proteges to ask this question: When I touch this item, does it spark joy? If the answer is yes, then the item gets to stay. If the answer is no, the directive is to thank the item for its service and then bid it adieu.&nbsp;
Even if this sounds a little woo-woo, I have to say that after I had removed a great many joyless items from my wardrobe and reorganized the rest of my clothes back into the closet, I felt an internal sigh of relief. I did feel more joyful. I felt as though a burden had lifted, as though a weight I&rsquo;d been unwittingly carrying around for years was suddenly gone.&nbsp;
In 1872, John Wesley preached, &ldquo;Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness,&rdquo; and though he was talking specifically about the way a person dressed and cared for their appearance, I think he was pressing on a deeper spiritual truth, too. Cleanliness is the visual representation of order, and our Creator is, as evidenced by creation, a God of order.
If you look carefully at the creation story, you will notice that God did not just bring all things into being&mdash;he also gave them each a designated spot, a boundary for existence, a specific space in which to thrive. He separated the light from the darkness, giving both their time to reign, as day and night. He gave each plant one specific fruit to bear. He told the sea how far it could go and then said, &ldquo;No more.&rdquo; Biblical scholar Rachel Smith describes God&rsquo;s work in a way that Marie Kondo would approve of: &ldquo;It (the world) was designed to run well and to be a well-ordered environment for its occupants. This is the sense of good in the creation account. Everything God created He declared good because it acted within its purpose and provided benefits&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rest-Assured-Creation-Intended-Trusting/dp/0802432743">Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God</a>, pg. 62-63).
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:&nbsp;
What does it mean to bear God&rsquo;s image? It means to care about the things he cares about, and to reflect his character out into the world. And one of the things that God cares about is order, which creates space for life to thrive. When we enter into chaos and bring disorder back into equilibrium, we are doing the work of God. Here are some practical areas where we might do that today.&nbsp;
In our physical spaces
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Declutter one area of your home. Choose a junk drawer, a closet, or a bedroom. Remove everything, and only put back what serves a purpose or, per the advice of Marie Kondo, brings joy. Give each item a designated space, and then, if you can, bring a little extra beauty to that area. Organize by color. Add flowers. Freshen with a scented sachet.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Is there a time of day that feels particularly chaotic? Create a ritual to help it go more smoothly. If morning times are hectic, for example, pre-set your coffee pot the night before. Lay out your clothes. Wake up ten minutes earlier. Light a candle while you eat breakfast. See how these adjustments bring a sense of peace to what used to feel overwhelming.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
In our workplaces
 Administration may not be glamorous, but it is essential for bringing order. If you have the gift of administration&mdash;that is, organizing information, communication, and actions into systems that run smoothly&mdash;put it into practice in your workplace. Good structures help good work to thrive.&nbsp;Be a problem solver. If you see that something is not working and have an idea for how to fix it, say something. Be someone who steps into situations and brings clarity and excellence.&nbsp;
In our communities&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jesus said, &ldquo;Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God&rdquo; (Matthew 5:9). In our communities, bringing order looks like bringing peace&mdash;to relationships, to organizations, to broken systems. When we step into disordered situations or strained relationships in our neighborhoods or even global communities, we are reflecting God&rsquo;s image by bringing equilibrium. This could look as simple as serving on the PTA and being a voice of calm and reason when the meetings get heated, or it could look like serving in outreach ministries to provide for the real, everyday needs of neighbors.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:&nbsp;
Genesis 1:1-31
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rest-Assured-Creation-Intended-Trusting/dp/0802432743">Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God</a> by Rachel Booth Smith
&nbsp;

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

What it Means to Be Made in the Image of an Orderly God

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9409d128-cfb0-4d25-bb64-b45e01343f71/transcript