Does Chaos Sound Familiar?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light.” - Genesis 1:1-3

The story that Genesis tells is not the story of God creating something out of nothing. Instead, it’s the story of God creating light and goodness out of chaos. The other ancient nations that surrounded Israel believed their gods emerged from the chaos, as represented by the churning waters of the sea. But Yahweh hovered over the waters - separate from them and able to adapt them, not just blend with them. And Yahweh was all about bringing light, goodness and Shalom.

As a church we are leaning in to try to think through not just returning to normal, but to figuring out ‘What Matters’ (that’s our new sermon series and focus as a community). Perhaps these days we shouldn’t just be longing for the pre-coronavirus status quo. Perhaps there’s an invitation instead to think about something even better - Shalom.

Shalom is the expansive peace of the Bible which is not just a private sense of calm but a webbing together of wholeness internally and communally, emotionally and economically, relationally and spiritually.

So today, perhaps you could respond to God’s invitation to step out of chaos (no doubt there’s plenty of that in each of our lives right now!) and into the light. One way to do that would be saying this old blessing (from Numbers 6:23) over yourself and your loved ones each day this week as part of your response to the invitation to that journey with Jesus:

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May the Lord make his face shine up you and be gracious to you

May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace