Yes! I did say that Genesis wasn’t the beginning! But before you hurl stones at me for blasphemy, continue reading!
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.1.1.KJV
If you carry on reading, you’ll see a fascinating setting depicted, with the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters. There are words and phrases such as ‘without form’, ‘waters’ and ‘light’ which all relate to our physical world as we know it now. This is our beginning - not God’s.
Now let’s check out another beginning - I’d like to call it God’s beginning but that’s inaccurate, as He has no beginning or ending:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:1-2 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.2.KJV
So there it is, the eternal presence of The Word - Jesus - prior to this world’s existence. So why is this so important? I’m glad you asked!
Well, you only need to read up to verse two in Genesis 1 to discover the first mention of “darkness“. This is not only literal, but it indicates our first hint of something very wrong – the first suggestion of sin. But read on to verse three:
‘then God said, “let there be light”, and there was light’.
Have you ever wondered how there was ever any light before the sun was even created? Check it out -
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:4-5 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.4-5.KJV
Answer: God is light - He doesn’t need it to be created, as He is the source. But don’t overlook verse four! He’s not only Light, but this Light also represents our lives. Ok, now we’re getting somewhere! Keep that very dark image in Genesis 1 in mind. Then imagine the absolutely huge deal it was when God spoke the words: ‘Let there be light’. He was calling what was already present, into this physical realm. He was placing Himself firmly amongst mankind, with the foreknowledge of all of the darkness of sin that mankind would embrace. He was choosing to come and ‘dwell among men’, with the foreknowledge that mankind would whip, pierce, batter, and leave him for dead with a mocking thorny crown pressed firmly upon His very human head.
As if that wasn’t enough to ponder, ponder this: Why would He choose to even create us then? I remember my daughter asking me this when she was still quite young, and never ever having an answer. However, the question hung over me for many years and I often asked God about it. One day, through meditating on the scripture above from John 1 and Genesis 1, along with many other scriptures, the Holy Spirit began to unveil more of God’s character to me. I realised what it actually means for God to exist eternally, outside of time. You see, just as his light existed before the sun, with God, we already existed prior to being physically made. With God, there is no future - he’s already there. What he’s already done, cannot be undone. That is really quite mind blowing!
Let’s go a little deeper. If God, The Eternal Word, the Light of men – if
what he says has already been done, then what would happen if we decided to speak what he speaks? What would our lives look like then? I mean remember, we do have the existence of darkness so it’s never going to be a perfect existence. That’s worth remembering. But how much could we change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us if we were to speak like Him? To say what He says when we’re in a crisis, or about to make a life changing decision?
Think about the worst moment or moments of your life. How did you come through it? That determines whether you come out “bitter or better“. (Courtesy of Joyce Meyer). Did you go through it being angry at God, thinking you deserved better? Did you go through it telling God about all the good that you’ve done instead of remembering the One who is good? You can answer this question by having an honest look at your heart and seeing what lies there. God knows anyhow. Remember, that existence of darkness. Sin is prevalent in the world and evil does happen. But good always trumps evil– dependent upon whether you go through it with God or go through it complaining to the One who is good. The trail that you leave behind you testifies to what you believe and what words you’ve been saying. What does your life look like?
I’m no stranger to disappointment and heartache. You’re probably the same. But one thing I absolutely refuse to say is “this is the worst day of my life “. I just don’t have a “worst day“ because the truth is, after every single onslaught of darkness, I’m still here and God still loves me. Where I was is not where I’ve chosen to stay. And what has happened is not what defines me. God has so much more for me - and for you. And there is absolutely no circumstance that will stop me from telling how much greater this Light is than the darkness. No bitterness. Just a burning passion to share this message of the eternal love of God with you. If darkness could win, we’d all be snuffed out by now! That alone speaks of just how much more power our God, who is Light, has.
We’re about to enter 2025. Take these words to heart, and decide on a new beginning - with God. He’s waiting, not to condemn you, but to bring you to a real safe place of truth. Wherever you find yourself in this journey called ‘life’, remember - He is our beginning. He’s also our end. And He’s chosen to step into life with you - will you let Him?
