The book of Genesis opens with a very short phrase:

In the beginning, God… Genesis 1:1

In those few words of Scripture God established three truths: the existence of a beginning, (time), the inferred existence of that which was before time (eternity) and the existence of One who is identified as God. Before the “what” of creation and the perplexing “why” of human existence Genesis declares the “when” and more importantly the “Who.” What follows in the story of creation when understood in biblical terms reveals that human life is divinely caused by God who was there at the beginning and then became involved with our species in time.

Sometimes a picture really does speak more than thousands of words. Michelangelo’s painting of the Creation in the Sistine Chapel which shows God’s finger reaching out to touch Adam’s hand impresses my heart where words fail. That which inspired Michelangelo to paint the inexpressible is the same Holy Spirit who reaches out His hand to me here and says that my life is neither random nor cruelly ordained.

From the beginning, God created us for hope and joy. The old Baltimore Catechism once instructed that our purpose on earth is “to know, love and serve God.” God’s love which reached down symbolically in Michelangelo’s painting toward Adam “in the beginning,” is the only light against worldly despair and Satan’s hopelessness.

There are men and women who do not want God in the equation. I read recently that a very large percentage of the British no longer believe that the first three of the Ten Commandments are relevant. Those first commandments are the basis of mankind’s relationship to God, to worship and to His Sabbath. It follows the opening pattern of Genesis: “In the beginning, God.” Moral law begins with the God, not with ourselves. Before the commandments about murder, adultery, stealing and covetousness can make any sense, never mind be implemented, one has to come back to asking Why? Why not kill or steal or be perverted if there is no God and we are random fly specks on the planet?

My life is often full of trials and sorrows, but more than that I’m blessed with the greatest hope. There is more wonder to come. He who was “in the beginning” does not change in His mercy and loving kindness toward those who love Him and believe in Jesus’ Name. No matter what messes surround me, I can choose by faith to insert God into my life’s story.

In the beginning, God..
Before I was born, God…
At my conception and birth, God…

When I think of Jesus, God…
When I forgive others, God…
When I need forgiveness, God…
At the cross, God…
On the morning of third day, God..
On the mountain top, God…

In the worst trial of my life, God…
In my greatest joy and happiness, God…
When the terror pounds at my door, God…

In the valley of the shadow of death, God…
When the doctor walks in, God….
When I am desperate, God…

When wars rage, God…
When wounded in the trenches, God…
When the enemy tries to destroys those I love, God…
When curses are unleashed, God…
When all else fails, God…
When I am totally alone, totally naked, God …

When blessings shower like rain, God …
In every second of my life which has gone, God…
In the hourglass which remains, God…
At my death, God…
When the last moment slips away, God…

What of unbelievers? I can almost hear the scoffers’ outrage. “Ridiculous! Belief in God does not have to be in any of those things. We can substitute science, reason and the greater social good. ‘Nothing’ exists after the…, least of all your Christian God.”

I wonder. Might I suggest writing a few life statements … leaving a blank or hole or whatever mental or emotional construct you who doubt God, nevertheless cling to. Then step back. Look inside the void and into your heart. Where is hope, purpose, satisfaction or personal progress? Nothing has been accomplished. The void is just a void. Only God creates something good out of nothing whereas the abyss is the devil’s hide out.

It is dangerous and foolish to climb onto the high place of Lucifer’s pride. It would be like clambering a scaffold in the Sistine Chapel ceiling and throwing a bucket of black paint over the image of God in Michelangelo’s masterpiece – and then claiming “ Look what an artistic genius I am!”