The Beginning: Genesis

Ah, the beginning of something... a precious thing, exciting and yet sort of scary.  To think about God and how He created the world.  It's interesting, starting to read the Bible on page 1.  There is no argument about whether there IS a God, or debates on why God can't exist, or how can God be good if He allows suffering, or whatever.  It simply states:  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."  There was a time when there was no heaven nor earth, a fact hard to comprehend.  Life as we know it, history, this universe full of amazing stars and planets in the vastness of space, and this incredible earth full of beauty and horrible ugliness, it all had a definite beginning, and God started it all. 

When you think about it, since He made us and everything around us, past, present, and future, we belong to Him, ultimately.  It makes sense to get to know Who this God is, since He has a claim upon us. It is a wonderful thing to start wading into this fascinating stream of the Bible; so safe and shallow that even a child can play and explore in it and drink it in without fear, and yet so deep and rich that one can dive again and again into its depths, and discover new meaning, beauty, nourishment and understanding every time. 

I love reading after each day of creation, that God "saw that it was good."  He made the light, the expanse or atmosphere, the dry ground, the stars and moon (the 'light bearers') the fish and birds, the animals and humans, and each time He "saw that it was good."  No mistakes, no errors, no evil, all good. 

I noticed, and maybe you did too, that there is a mention of the mysterious nature of the Lord God, the first hinting of the triune (three in one) nature of God.  Can you find it?  I remember noticing that once and discovered how exciting it was to know that God is unchanging, and He wants us to know about Him and His true character.  Once we come to know Him, He reveals His truth to us in our hearts, through His Word.  And how amazing it is to look back and realize how He has been working in our lives all along, gently leading us to Him, revealing Himself to us, caring for us, protecting and providing for us, touching our hearts and bringing us to see how desperately we need Him, all so very tenderly and sweetly.  I remember how He protected me once when in a very dangerous situation, young and reckless and seemingly in control, yet terribly lost, both spiritually and literally.  He sent someone to help me out of a dangerous spot back to safety.  An angel, perhaps?  I know now that His hand was with me, and I am so grateful. 

And at the end of the first chapter of Genesis, God "saw all that He had made, and it was very good."  Very good indeed!  And then comes the day that He rested.  Why would God need to rest?  After all, He was/is God, and God surely has enough energy to keep on going!  More on that later!

It occurred to me today that we owe God our full devotion, not partial payment.  We may go to church, which is fine and good.  But it is our deep heart, our total selves, that He wants.  He made us, and has the "rights" to us.  But He gave us the ability to say yes, or no.  We can just let Him have a part of our heart, or our life, but not all of it.  Or we can open it all up and let Him clean us out and fill us up with Himself.  And thankfully, He is patient with us when we only can let Him in part of the way.  I pray that you, dear reader, whoever you may be, will trust Him enough to open up your heart and allow Him to tenderize it and melt it, a little at a time.  He is the Author of Time and Life, and He knows it inside and out!  He made us, and waits for us to give Him the honor He deserves.  It's so exciting to read the book that truly reveals the incredible nature and character of God.  It's the only thing that really matters, actually.

Blogging for God

Hello!  This is my first blog, and it wasn't my idea at all.  During my morning prayer and listening time, during which I talk to God and listen to Him, it seemed that God was directing me to start a blog on His Word, the Bible.  I am totally not sure how to begin, except that it's been a couple of weeks since I received this instruction, and haven't done so yet because I was sort of avoiding doing it.  I was really worried about making it something "really good" or "awesome".  Well, I know that I can't do anything awesome unless God does it through me.  I am finally done with trying to be perfect, at least for today, and so here goes. 

I think I am going to start with the book of Genesis, which I began reading at the first part of the year, and share some thoughts that have come to mind.
Oh, I guess I need to share this with some people, eventually.  Lord, I need your help here.  Who will want to read this?  Well, I suppose, those whom God directs or leads here.  That's good enough for me.

End of post #1 of Blog #1.  I am now a blogger for God.  I surely would not be doing this unless He told me to.  My life is not interesting except for how He has impacted it.  In this light, it is a very interesting life indeed.  He alone is Worthy of praise and glory!

annie