ODJ: Light in the Darkness

January 7, 2018 

READ: Genesis 1:1-31 

God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (v.31).

Moving to a new home and community can be daunting. So during a recent transition, I was grateful when my friend’s seven year old daughter, Maria, offered to help.

Maria couldn’t assist much in a physical way, but her presence and thoughtful gestures turned an otherwise dreary experience into a delightful one. In the midst of my ‘moving daze’, Maria’s happy words and acts of kindness created reasons to smile and give thanks. She created a lighthearted mood in what would have otherwise been a gloomy day.

To me, Maria sweetly reflected the joy and beauty of the God who brought light and life into darkness. It’s astonishing to think about what transpired when “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).

Into an unformed, bare earth, God spoke light into existence and distinguished day from night (day one, vv.3-4). He made the sky by establishing the atmosphere and the oceans (day two, vv.6-8) and land that sprouted vegetation (day three, vv.9-13). He made the sun, moon and stars (day four, vv.14-19) and filled the earth and sky with creatures and birds (day five, vv.20-23).

After filling the earth with “all sorts of wild animals, livestock and small animals” (v.25), “God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (day six, v.27). And as He looked over all that He had made, God declared that it was “very good!” (v.31).

God continues to create light and life where there’s darkness. As we draw near to Him, may we experience His joy and beauty wherever we are!

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day plan: Genesis 9:1-17