God Was There

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  Genesis 1:1b

It wasn’t much to look at, and no one was there to see it.  

This lump we call Earth was a wasteland.  Formless and empty and dark.  Covered with deep water and silent blackness, the desolate mass appeared stagnant and useless.

But it was not, for God was there.

Biding and brooding, the Holy One hovered over the surface.   His Spirit surrounded the stillness and enveloped the emptiness.  Although no potential for change lay within the matter, all possibility lived in the Maker.

Very soon, seagulls would soar in the breeze, squawking rudely at tiny crabs scampering across the sand.  Before long, busy bees would flit among bright flowers, sampling sweet nectar and gathering golden pollen.  In just a few days, the giraffe would stretch his lanky neck and nibble crisp leaves in tall trees.  But for now, no sign of life was stirring.  The shapeless something that was there seemed good for nothing.

But it was not, for God was there.

And you are not, for God is there.  

When you aren’t much to look at and no one is around to see you, God is there.  When your heart is a wasteland and your soul seems formless, and empty, and dark, God is there.  He is hovering.  He is holding.  He is surrounding.  He will envelop your emptiness and cover your chaos.  He is there – waiting to create a masterpiece out of your mess, and His Spirit will move when the time is right.  Until then, surrender to His stillness and rest in His Presence.

The earth was barren before it was beautiful.

And God was there – in both.