For quite some time (years, probably) I’ve been wishing that I was more consistent in reading Scripture – especially for the sake of understanding the larger narrative it holds. A number of years ago I used a chronological bible. It was organized not as the books are traditionally sequenced, but in order to be read as the texts themselves would fall time-wise. For example, inserted in the middle of Genesis is actually Job. Psalms make their way into the midst of Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1st Samuel, 1st Chronicles, etc. I decided I wanted to make a stab at this reading again – this time using a 365-day schedule.
If you’re interested, click here for the link.
So, given that today is January 1, it’s time to get started. You know, New Year Resolutions and all that?!? And where better to begin than in the beginning…
Genesis 1: God spoke. God created. God saw that it was good. Again and again we hear that refrain. It feels like the natural order of things; the way things were meant to be. Would I experience even a hint of Eden’s perfection if I could be attentive to this rhythm? Would I perhaps even hear the whisper of “God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze…” (1:8)?
How I would love for this to be true. Maybe a far better resolution than losing the 8 pounds I’ve gained over the holidays or exercising more would be to have a heart, eyes, and ears that desire God’s presence in my life as natural and normal as was true in Eden: God speaks. God creates. God sees that God’s creation is good. And what’s more, God speaks to me. God creates in and around me. God sees me as good. That is good.
Genesis 2: Now Adam speaks of and to God’s creation. Adam sees that God’s creation is good. And God creates for Adam. God creates woman. The three-pronged rhythm of above has a bridge – a set-apart verse with a different tune. Relationship: Adam with creation. Adam with God. Adam with Eve.
How might my understanding and experience of life be enhanced and broadened when I add relationship into the mix? God’s speaking, creating, and affirming is not all there is. God intentionally builds relationship: mine with God’s creation. Mine with God. Mine with others. This is the rhythm of life as God intends and desires.
I don’t often look at life with Eden-tinted lenses. Of course, there is a sense in which I am always trying to get back to Eden; always desiring a life that is perfect, complete, whole. I’m a long way from such. I’m also aware that many of my efforts to return are far from consistent with the rhythms designed by God. I diet. I shop. I look for distractions. I covet. I hope I win the lottery.
How do I focus my efforts on a return to God’s voice, God’s creation, God’s affirmation, God’s offer of relationship? A first step is even acknowledging that this is what I desire. Sort of like a New Year’s Resolution. Sort of like Genesis 1 and 2: beautiful poetry that catches us up in God’s story – an amazing drama that isn’t dependent on the actors, but on the director, the writer, the storyteller. What if I saw my own life in that way – as being caught up in a beautiful story that doesn’t depend on me? (I’m literally taking a deep breath right now, feeling an amazing amount of rest knowing that it’s not all up to me!)
Genesis 3: Eden-tinted lenses get broken. Reality breaks in. Temptation occurs. Relationships break. And even diets fail.
Though disappointing, in only three chapters, to already be plunged into the tragic turn of the plot, it does feel resonant with my own experience. Just like New Year’s Resolutions, it doesn’t take long for me to be self-justifying my mistakes and looking for ways to blame my circumstances on others – even God. And…this story remains beautiful.
The storyteller still walks in the garden and calls out for his creation, for his beloved. No matter what has happened, the plot still does not depend on them. Yes, there are consequences, but the rhythm continues: God speaking (where are you?). God creating (garments to cover them). God affirming (protecting them from a life like this lasting forever). And relationship. Now different, but still existent, still caring and intimate, and intentional.
So, in the beginning, January 1, my own set of resolutions, and the desire to somehow, deep inside, feel the rhythm of God’s design for me, for all of life, for the larger story being told: God still speaks. God still creates. God still affirms. God still offers and invites relationship. And it’s not up to me. (Again, deep breath.)
Read the very first two verses of Genesis:
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.
As January 1 passes to January 2 and beyond, I will often know the feeling of void and darkness. But I want to listen for the wind from God. Maybe my New Year’s Resolution this year will be to allow that wind to sweep over me and create something beautiful out of nothing – again and again and again. In the beginning…
I see this as good. Wind. Deep breath. Beginnings.
