not yo mama's cupcake helper

“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.” Genesis 2:19-20

This is some crazy stuff people!

God makes something out of nothing.
God invites Adam to join in on the fun.
God didn’t just invite Adam to “help” as a child “helps" her mama bake cupcakes.

He doesn't chuckle indulgently at Adam's choices while waiting to do the job right Himself. He allows Adam to truly participate in a meaningful way with lasting results.

Given the general significance of names and naming in the Bible, (“And you shall no longer be called Abram but Abraham, “He numbers the stars and calls them each by name”, Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter...) this task of naming is clearly a tremendous honor.

Who is Adam, and who are we, but creatures formed out of the ground too? And yet we've also been given this extraordinary task of naming, of tending, of co-laboring with God the creator!

Father, help us not to shrink from your invitation whether in the workplace, in our relationships or in the general use of our talents and resources.