A New Creation

Genesis 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

We've all read this story before and connected it to the creation of our precious planet, the Earth. But after reading it again the other day, a whisper entered my thoughts--I am a new creation.

Like the earth, I was without form. My void was deep. Nothing and no one could fill it.

Like the earth, there was a darkness over my face and inside my heart. The darkness deep, a pit with no end.

Like the earth, the Spirit of God hovered over me. Inviting. I refused Him for many years, perceiving Him as another salesman with a bottle of happiness for purchase. "Come here, daughter. Come to me. And I will quench your thirst." I refused to look at Him or listen. He had disappointed me many times in the past. He never gave me what I wanted. He never solved my unhappiness.

That was in my terrible twenties. These thoughts went on and on. Everyday the same. Another dark day, another life that went around in circles, purposeless, with no end.

My journey included quenching my thirst through relationships, philosophies, religions, psychology, positive thinking, meditation, alcohol, food, travel, and other pleasures that life had to offer. But my darkness was deep, a pit with no end.

I was finding myself, but the more I looked, the more my self evaded me. And then finally, I remembered the invitation. Symbolically, the old tattered envelope that lay on my dresser for years. Friends would tell me about this invitation--the joy they felt in finding the One. The peace that it brought. It all sounded like a cliche.

But I was at the end of my rope. I accepted every other invitation, and I was unhappy, the darkness getting deeper.

I remember accepting the invite. Meeting Him, was like meeting an old friend, but I was actually meeting my father, my creator. I was humbled. I've said no to Him so many times and here I was at His feet, begging Him to save my life. Begging Him to bring me some happiness. Begging Him to forgive me. I was in tears for months. I had been so mean to Him. For many years, He had no room in my life, and now here I was begging Him to be the center of it.

He took me in His arms and accepted my apology. He looked me in the face and affirmed that I am His daughter. I am His flesh creation, but now, more than that, I am His creation through His Spirit.

He gave me light. My life became clear to me. Whereas before, I lived for pleasure and solely to satisfy myself, I realized I needed to live for Him. In my soul, I needed to live for something beyond myself and that was Him. Ironically, that brings me the most pleasure.

He separated my light from my darkness. I am still a work in progress. But everyday, as I walk with Him, I am dying to the things that don't seem to work for me. Everyday He separates the light that He sparked from my darkness.

Like the Earth, I am a new creation, a first day, a new day.

Shoot your prayer:

How are you a new creation? How has God worked in your life? What areas do you want Him to continue working on in partnership with you?