Earth Interrupted

The earth was without form, and void,

and darkness was on the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God was hovering

over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:2, NKJV

 



The earth was empty.  Whatever had been was no more, corrupted beyond use and covered in a primordial deluge.  Where there had been perfection and beauty, now there was only chaos.  A formless globule of water within the wide expanse of the God, shrouded in  the absolute absence of light, it waited.

 

In darkness, nothing would be seen.  But perhaps there was the lolling, lapping sound of wave upon endless wave, calm now after the storm that filled the whole sphere.  But nothing else.  Except for the wind, the gentle inspiration and exhalation of the breath of God as the Spirit moved across the face of the deep.

 

Creation was about to commence.

 

I am reminded this morning that even in the vast darkness where nothing yet exists, the Spirit hovers still.

 

In chaos, the Spirit is preparing to bring order.

 

From formlessness, the Spirit is planning to summon structure.

 

Out of the depths, the Spirit will oversee the rise of land and life and love.

 

Let us never despair.  Even in our darkest hours, even in the depths of destruction and pain, in the lowest valley, in the fiercest fight, in the hour of isolation and abandonment, even when all seems lost and we fear we are sinking beyond hope, the Spirit of God is there.  Moving.  Working.  Hovering.  Waiting.

 

Waiting for the Word to bring illumination and give understanding to our wondering.

 

Let us not give up.  Something is happening, though we see it not.  This is the time for our belief.  Now is the time for hope.