“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
“And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
“And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:1-12
The beginning of the Word takes us back to the beginning of the infinite past, when God was. The earth as it was not yet called had no form, and was void, dark, and deep, without dimension or substance or color, uncontained. God the Creator hovered, knowing the face of what would be, and set to work with the omnipotent breath of His word. In days whose measure we do not know, days named before the sun and moon and axis of the earth were created, God brought light and order and fruitful purpose. (Genesis 1:14-19; Psalm 90:1)
While it is hard to imagine the chaos of a world without any aspects of world order that now frame our perception, we do encounter chaotic times. We are confronted with situations that loom without form or definition, void of meaning or purpose, and emotionally dark, bereft of beauty or hope. Yet here in these spaces and seasons, Almighty God hovers, watches, controls all that to us is out-of-control. He brings light, and order, on perfect schedule. His unfolding plan brings growth and fruitfulness, life with significance and divine glory. (Genesis 1:20-31; 2:7,15,18,21-24)
What void of direction, zeal, or emotion are we suffering? Has the heart’s fire or spark of joy grown cold? Is there a commitment or discipline hardened stale, a relationship too calloused for renewal, a scarcity of holy desire to pursue the Lord and savor His goodness? Our Lord reigns above, sees all, and with a breath can infuse new zeal, awaken passion, clarify direction and meaning. Will we offer ourselves for His creating today?
Lord, fill me with Your fullness that results in fruitfulness to Your glory. (Ephesians 3:19)
As the rain and snow 