Listen

When God began to create the heavens and the earth— the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared.

Genesis 1:1-3

Think

Often this text is referred to as proof that God is the “order-bringer in chief,” entering into the chaos of our lives to sort things out, fold the clothes, wash the dishes, and organize our closets, metaphorically speaking. In Genesis 1, God takes chaos and reshapes it into an orderly creation, right? But look more closely. The raw material that God started with, and presumably made, was chaos itself. Even more troubling, it was the Holy Spirit that was stirring things up. That’s what happens when wind, in this case referring to the Holy Spirit, blows over water.

Is it possible that disorder might be a sign of God’s presence, a result of God’s activity? God often shows up to shake up… to wake us up to a different possibility for our lives. Consider Abraham, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, Peter, and so many others. When God showed up, their humdrum lives were turned upside down. Divine disorder, as uncomfortable as it may be, preceded (and perhaps allowed) the discovery of their divine purpose, their true path.

Wade Griffith

Pray

When my life feels chaotic or disordered, Lord, encourage me to look for your presence in the midst of the confusion.

Is it possible that you have stirred things up for a reason?

Help me to be open to your disruptive calling, dislodging me from one reality so I might inhabit another.

Amen.

Go

To be saved is to be sent.