Genesis 1

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1: 2

The creation story is the beginning of our story. Whether we believe the creation narrative from Genesis to be the actual way the universe began or, rather, a people’s attempt to understand the mysterious nature of God’s creative power, there is something that is certain: God creates light in our darkness through the power of Her in dwelling Spirit. As we begin the new year, we could never be naïve enough to believe that there is no darkness. We are all well acquainted with the darkness of our personal tragedies, addictions, broken relationships, and so much more. We also see the darkness of terrorism and other types of meaningless violence, poverty, neglect, homelessness, and so much more in our cities, villages, and in the wide world.

God, however, moves over the darkness of our world and our lives with the life-giving and creative possibilities of His Spirit. God breathes the healing Light of Jesus Christ into our pain and even into death itself. God, in Jesus, speaks us into life, resurrecting what we thought was broken, and instilling in us the hope of continuing life after the death of relationships, jobs, and even the great Death we all face in our final hour. John’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the “Light that shines in the darkness; and the darkness has not [and will not] overcome it.” John 1: 5.

Happy New Year and God’s peace and Light be yours, ours!

#faith #genesis