6 February 2023

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.
Genesis 1:1-19, NRSV

Today we hear the beginning of one of the Creation stories from the book of Genesis. In this prose poem, the story is told of how God created everything that exists. What we hear is not a biological, historical or physical account of Creation but a lesson about God’s will. Before Creation there was no order or pattern to anything and the earth was an unwelcoming formless and lifeless place. From this emptiness God created everything. In this version of the story, everything is interdependent and everything relies on God. There is a real sense of God’s delight in the perfection and unity of what has been created. From the very beginning of the Bible, we are introduced to a God who wants the best of everything for people to enjoy and a world with everything in balance in which they can thrive.

• • Why did God delight in the creation of the world?
  • What aspects of our world would God still delight in?

Whilst there are many problems in our world today, there is also much to rejoice in? Reflect today on those aspects which bring you joy and give thanks for their creation.