In Your Beginning, 2024
“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was
without form, and darkness was over the face of the deep. Then the spirit
(the wind, the breath) of God blew over the face of the waters, and God said:
‘Let there be light!’ And there was light”
—
New Year’s resolutions generally don’t work. Talk to most anyone you know and they will tell you of early January’s lofty plans and great expectations. Then, before long, there are rationalized distractions, legitimized excuses, expected decline, anticipated failure, and, finally, guilt.
Most of us want to improve how we live. We become aware of shortcomings or recognize weaknesses. We see in the mirror sagging waistlines and ill-fitting clothes. We know something needs to be done at some point, and we want to make some changes. But we can also admit, trying to use January 1 as the kickoff to some magic change in our behavior might not be the healthiest strategy. By many accounts, it doesn’t work and might do more harm than good.
Instead, let us acknowledge what the Bible has known all along. The earliest light of God’s creation offers particular insights into the truth of reality, how life works and who we are, really. And from these biblical standards, this bedrock of biblical beginnings, we can offer ourselves realistic ways of bringing about positive, authentic change—without the ineffective, guilt-inducing New Year’s resolutions.
As we begin this journey together in the New Year of 2024, we begin appropriately with the very first verse of the Bible. And with the beginning, there is something interesting about the way the Bible describes what occurs. There is no cosmic battle or magic wand being waved. Instead, notice that God speaks creation into being: “... and God said: ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light” (Genesis 1:1).
The Subtle Meaning of God’s First Proclamation: Notice how the Bible works carefully with the wording. The voice of God proclaims the “word” of God. This word then activates all that is and all that is to be. God calls forth light as the actualizing power for the rest of creation. But also notice as you continue to read the rest of the first chapter of Genesis: God creates physical light—the sun, the moon, and the stars—on day four of the story segments. And yet, in this first verse, God speaks forth light on day one.
The wording here is subtle. It is poetic; it is also exceeding profound. Instead of a six day, step-by-step analysis of biological creation, we hear a powerful rendition of Spiritual Truth. The poetry conveys figurative, metaphorical language the vast, eternal nature of God’s Providence.
Not only is life good and worthy of blessing (as we are told at the end of the chapter); there also exists a spiritual light above and beyond physical light that represents the true conductor of reality.
God’s Spiritual Light: Physical light generates the energy of photosynthesis and the conditions essential for physical life as we know it. But the first chapter of Genesis lets us in on the truth behind and beyond what we can see. There is a spiritual realm—the Being of light, existence, and power—that emanates from God’s presence and speech. God’s very essence generates a light different and more real, more primal and more essential. Like the breath of God that calms the waters and centers creation, God’s calling forth of light pronounces a thundering reminder of who is in control and for what purpose.
May you remember this deep wisdom from beyond time and in the beginning of creation as you begin your year. Now commences a new and good cycle of life lying before you. You may still choose to set goals for the New Year and work on resolutions that might or might not succeed. But your good news remains: regardless of your success or failure in maintaining a positive trajectory for your goals, there is something far bigger and more brilliant beyond what you have set before you.
Remembering the Truth: Therefore, may you go through this year with a bold and redemptive vision. In spite of failure or success, distractions or focus, disappointment or thrill, noise or silence, chaos or order, confusion or resolution remember this Truth: Life is still good. God is still in control. God’s light is life-giving, and along with God’s resounding voice in the first moment of creation, you, too, are now enabled to call forth that blessed light in yourself and others.
“Open your soul and entertain the glory of God; and after a while, that glory will be reflected in the world about you and the very clouds above your head.”
— Frank Laubach
David Jordan
Senior Pastor