“In the beginning, God made the heaven and the earth. But the earth was unseen and unready, and darkness was upon the abyss, and the Spirit of God bore upon the water.” Genesis 1:1-2 (ABP English).
The creation process began in mystery. There was literal darkness that enshrouded the work that was about to begin- and it’s worth nothing that the word for “abyss” used here can be translated as, “unfathomable depths.” It was dark and deep and unseen– the text also states that it was unready. Surely, it was only a mystery to the outside observer. Here we get a snapshot of what those first moments of creation looked like, as God pressed against the watery depths.
If you and I were to step onto the stage at that point, and quietly observe this work, no context or knowledge of what was to come, it would have been void of light (in the physical sense) and a complete and utter mystery.
But the darkness held no mystery for God. Those unfathomable depths? He knew their length and breadth and what they contained. He knew what they would be when He spoke over them, how the very covering they wore would be separated- and darkness would be relegated to only the night. God knew when it would be seen. He knew when it would be ready.
The Pattern and The Process
There is a pattern, a consistency with which creations come into being in the hands of their Creator. It is unfathomable to me that in the darkest moments before light touched the surface of matter, the plan of salvation was already secured, the church was loved by the Father, and there was a plan for each of us to live out our faith in the millennia to come. It would begin with physical light, then those belonging to the truth would carry His light through the generations, illuminating more and more the grace that had been planned since before the beginning.
This thread continues in the lives of believers today. As the workmanship of Christ, we are molded and shaped, spoken over and illuminated, a creation cast in the very likeness of our Savior- the goal to become more and more like the One who purchased us. It’s a sacred process, this becoming and growing into maturity. The process required the presence of God on earth, not pressed against the waters, but in the form of His only Son. God with His Creation, God with us in the person of Jesus.
Growing as God’s Creation
The Holy Spirit drives growth in the life of the believer. We are called to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18, (ESV). This is a cooperative work. God allows His children to participate in the cultivation of their faith, by their willingness to engage with Him personally. What a privilege to step into the very presence of God and not leave the encounter unchanged. The ultimate goal has always been for us to be individually and corporately, the temple of God.
Season of Unknown
The creation that was to be was not apparent in those first moments of creation. And we know from the text it wasn’t supposed to be. Why was it unseen? It was unready. Why wasn’t the gospel revealed at that point? The time hadn’t come.
It was dark.
But God was there.
It was unfathomablely deep.
But God knew it all.
It was unready.
But God kept the time.
Faithful, fearful hearts discouraged and waiting in seasons of mystery- the same can be spoken over our own times of waiting in the dark. Sometimes, the path is hidden because it is unready. Sometimes, we ourselves are hidden away, as God moves upon us, to grow us, shape us, prune away what is unfruitful, and untangle our feet from sin.
Take heart, if the process of growing up in faith is confusing or even painful in its mystery. We have the assurance that in Christ, the answers to all mysteries are found. Child of God, your path forward and every aspect of your identity is already found in Christ. Trust that the same creator who called light into being will illuminate the path forward, when the time is right.
