Light

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.                                                           Colossians 1:15-17

What an amazing topic! When the Bible speaks early in Genesis about creation, it essentially starts with, When God began creating the heavens and the earth,the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.Then God said, “Let there be light.”

The creation of light was the first order of business. Can you imagine complete and total darkness? The closest I came was when I was deep in a cave (with a tour, thankfully). The guide turned off the source of light he was holding, and boom- total darkness! I could not see my hand in front of my face. That was really weird. Why? Because we are used to light, even if it is just a little. We do not experience total darkness very often.

Darkness is, by definition, the absence of light. So really, darkness is not really a thing- it is only there because we are missing light- the source of energy needed for life. So, God’s first act was one of generating light. It takes power to generate light. When there is no power, there is no light, and subsequently, no life.

Without a power source, life ceases to exist. The creative power of God, however, is still present. The verse above in Colossians speaks to a matter of physics that the writer surely did not understand. The fact that there are forces that hold all things together- sub-atomic particles and forces- was unable to be known scientifically at that time. Yet the principle of a binding force that pervades all of creation- the presence of God in it- is a majestic truth.

This marvelous Creation is entwined with the life-force that God infused in it. It is the life -giving force of the Creator.

Prayer: Lord, you are the giver of light, and life, Amen