Welcome to a new series of daily email devotions “In the Beginning…” written and posted by staff members at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven. In this post-Easter time, we have decided to go back to the start of the Bible and reflect on scriptures from the book of Genesis. Each week, the different staff members will be working from the same overall story, yet focusing in personal ways on parts of the scripture. We hope and pray that our musings will help you in your daily journey with God.

From the Start

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving 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, one day.
Genesis 1:1-5 Revised Standard Version (RSV) 

I don’t how many times I have picked up a Bible and turned to the first verse on the first page of the first book — Genesis. Each time, I seem to stop before I get to the end of the first line. I grew up reading this passage from the old Revised Standard Version of the Bible which starts “In the beginning God ….” Those four words have captured my attention so many times.

I usually read on about the six days of creation. As I do, I can picture light and darkness, the starry skies, the different animals, and how it all came together from the Spirit and the Word of God. And yet, before I plow ahead into the whole creation story, I love to stop and simply think about this incredible faith statement —-

“In the beginning — God.”

It all starts with God, here in the Genesis story and in each of our lives. Everything that we are, and all that we know, follows the story of God. In the beginning God made this world. God placed each piece into the puzzle, and the creation is a wonderful thing.

I need to pause every once in a while to just think about how this first paragraph of God’s Word starts — “In the beginning God …” I also need to follow the six days of creation and listen for the part of the story which is repeated “And God saw [that what God made] was good’ (verse 4)

What a celebration it is to know that God has had it all under control from the start, and that God’s good plan for creation is still unfolding.

Prayer

Let me start each day, dear Lord, remembering that “in the beginning – you, God, had a plan.” Help me also to enjoy your good creation, and to see your presence and goodness in where I find myself today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen