IO'S CREATION #805 - THE UNFOLDING STORY: WHY THE UNIVERSE NEVER STOPPED GROWING

A living process

When we talk about the beginning of the world, we often speak as if it was a one-time event that finished a long time ago. We think of the universe like a house that was built, painted, and finished before we arrived. But our ancestors in the North had a much more exciting way of looking at it. To them, the world is more like a woven cloak that is still being made, one thread at a time.

The first movement

The story of Io-matua-kore tells us that in the beginning, everything was still and quiet. Then, Io moved within the vastness of space. This initial movement was the birth of time, space, and life. Our traditions call this the "First Strand," or Te Aho Tuatahi. This implies that the story did not end there. If there is a first strand, it means more strands are meant to follow. Creation was not a finished project; it was the start of an ongoing conversation.

The word of power

This matches what we find in the direct teachings of Ihu (Yeshua's name in the Paipera Tapu). He is described as the one who keeps the whole universe running by the power of His word. It is not just that He made it once, it is that He is actively keeping it alive and moving right now.

"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:3, NKJV)

"Ko ia te kōhiko o tōna dōria, te āhua tonu o tōna huri, ā, e pūpuri ana ia i ngā mea katoa ki te kupu o tōna kaha." (Translated from the original Greek: pherōn te ta panta tō rhēmati tēs dynameōs autou)

The world as a verb

In our modern world, we tend to look at everything as "objects" or "nouns." We see a tree, a river, or a mountain as a thing that just sits there. But science is finally catching up to our old people. They are realising that the universe is actually flow-based. It is more like a verb than a noun. A river is not just a thing; it is a process of water moving. A star is a process of energy burning. Everything is in a state of becoming, constantly being renewed and transformed.

Our role as builders

Knowing that the world is still being created changes how we see our lives here in Taitokerau. We are not just living on a finished product, we are co-workers in a masterpiece that is still unfolding. When our ancestors were told to look after the land, it was a call to participate in this creative work. Every time we plant a garden, restore a stream, or start a project that helps our people grow, we are adding our own strands to the Woven Universe. We are not just watching the story; we are the ones helping to write it.

Choosing plenty over lack

The best part about a universe that is still growing is that our future is not set in stone. Because creation is continuous, we have the power, through our connection to Wairua Tapu, to help shape what happens next for our whānau. Scarcity is a lie that tells us the pie is fixed and getting smaller. But the truth of Io is that life is meant to flourish and expand. When we align ourselves with the Creator who is still at work, we can create a reality of abundance right here in our own backyard.