"In the Beginning"

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-3:24

Key Verse:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2 NLT)

Observation

The opening verses of Scripture flow thick with invitations to reflection. People discuss at length and with great emotion whether the language of the creation story is to be taken literally, figuratively, or something in between. I’m one of those guys who has no trouble believing in a literal 6-day creation…and no trouble believing that some literalists miss the beauty of the language and therein miss risking the point. What an incredible picture of the unfolding of the mystery of God’s creation (chapter 1), the pinnacle of God’s creation (chapter 2), and the promise of God’s re-creation (chapter 3).

The thing is, God doesn’t seem to be in a hurry about any of it. Though He speaks the worlds into existence, He does so “in process.” Theologians create theories, because someone once asked how, if “God created the heavens and the earth,” it could possibly be “formless and empty”—how could God create anything less than something immediately perfect and complete?

I’m thinking today that if you were looking over God’s shoulder asking that question on Day 1, He’d simply answer, “What’s your hurry? I’m not finished yet!” knowing full well there was more of this mystery yet to unfold. Indeed, He might be saying that to impatient questioners even today.