God said, "Let there be light."

In the beginning of a new day, I find myself in the beginning of God's word. Eyes tired and adjusting to the lamp light that spreads a circle of security in an otherwise dark house. I open the blinds in the living room and sit in the stillness of mornings last few minutes of darkness. I love this time of the morning, this gift of witnessing the darkness recede to reveal all the wonders and blessings of a brand new day. And in this moment of stillness, I feel the presence of God. 

I sit giving thanks for the beauty of the beginning, and that is exactly where He leads me: Genesis chapter 1. 

"In the beginning...darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." -Genesis 1:1-2 

So in the beginning, there was darkness and there was God. And I smile to myself because Genesis makes sense of this beautiful moment of early morning darkness and the hovering presence of God. 

"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. " -Genesis 1:3-4 

Ah, and again I give thanks because this time of day is a gift; a gift to remind me of the very moment that God first demonstrated His power over darkness and spoke light into the world. 

So this morning I sit in the stillness, watching for the sun and waiting for the Son, and God paints for me a beautiful story. My thoughts ping-pong back and forth between Old Testament truth and New Testament truth and the pieces come together to bring light to a searching soul. 

God's gift to me this morning: A reminder of the joy that surrounds the transition from darkness into light.

"In the beginning...darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." -Genesis 1:1-2

"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. " -Genesis 1:3-4 

[Then God said] "You are the light of the world." -Matthew 5:30

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:16

"No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." -Matthew 5:15  

And my heart responds,
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. -Psalm 119:105 

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.' " -John 8:12

"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." -Luke 8:17 

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord..." -Ephesians 5:8

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name o the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -Matthew 28-19-20

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." -1 John 1:5 

And my soul sings with praise and thanksgiving this morning for both the darkness and the light. For without the darkness, it is difficult to fully appreciate the gift of light.