So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27–28
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:21–23
Interestingly, when God made us in His image, He used dust to form us. He could have just spoken us into existence, as he did the waters, lights in the skies, plants and animals. But he chose to form us out of the stuff He has already created by His speech. But the formed material was animated by His breath – His Holy Spirit. We are, in our formed bodies, “very good.” We are, in our Spirit enlivened selves, fully image-bears that are empowered to represent our Father in this good world.
With this simple truth in mind – consider the fascinating art by Allison Cortson.
Dust paintings by Allison Cortson
She has taken the dust (including the dust substance of her subjects) of the ground to make images that are wonderfully thought provoking.
It makes me think about how we, as those formed and animated by God, have a place in His forming and filling work in the world. We too have the ability to impact and form one another. We too are Spirit breathers that speak to one another in life-giving (or destroying) ways.
Indeed, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and have power to do mighty creative works in other people’s lives.










