“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
I vividly remember the moment I held my daughter in my arms for the first time. There is something very powerful about holding a brand-new life and simply wondering where it will lead. Now two years old (nearly two-and-a-half!), so much of her time is still yet to come. Holding my child made many things fall into place biblically which I never could have grasped before that moment. The Father’s love for us is a pure and strong love which is absolutely beyond compare. Here, in the beginning, God prepares for that which is yet to come from His mighty work. One can only imagine the love with which He brims toward that which waits for His command.
“In the beginning” evokes the image of Genesis – a blank canvas, a time of potential, all which is yet to be awaiting the command of the Creator. In the silence and anticipation, the Word bursts forth as God speaks that first command – “Let there be light.” That which pierces through the darkness and brings illumination in the midst of chaos now shines in brilliance at the word of the Creator. The Father, the Word, and the Breath of God work in brilliant harmony to bring forth the created order. Each supports the other, their wills in perfect unity with one another.
The light of God shines into each and every corner of Creation, and darkness cannot comprehend why the God of love would give of Himself as He does for those in His care. But the inability for the powers of darkness to grasp the love of God does not snuff it out. Nothing darkness attempts to do can overcome the light of God.
In those moments of hopelessness, we are reminded of the faithfulness and provision of God. We are reminded, as Zephaniah said, that our God is the Mighty Warrior who saves His people (Zephaniah 3:17). Despair, doubt, and fear have no place among us. God is as the father who looks upon the face of their child for the very first time and swells with newfound love – for each one of His children, there is joy in abundance at their presence with Him. The light of the love of God shines in the darkest parts of our lives and fills us with that peace that surpasses all understanding. And darkness can do nothing to stop it.
Father, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You for sending the Word to Your people. Move within me to bring about greater conformity to the image of Christ each and every day and help me to feel Your presence with me through every struggle, through every trial and temptation of this life. Thank You for shining forth when all seems dark around me, and for Your faithfulness in the valley and on the mountaintop.