On Earth As It Is

In Celebration of Earth Day: April 20, 2022

One of the first of four images captured by the Nasa Advisory Council during the annular eclipse as the Moon's shadow passed over Japan – May 2012

I love the Book of Genesis. The first three verses might just be my favorite words in all the world, especially when I read them from The Voice translation: 

In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below. Here’s what happened: At first the earth lacked shape and was totally empty, and a dark fog draped over the deep while God’s spirit-wind hovered over the surface of the empty waters. Then there was the voice of God.

God: “Let there be light.”

And light flashed into being.

It reads like something out of a movie. Imagine sitting in a dark theater with these words scrolling up like a rising tower, just like the opening text at the beginning of Star Wars. You’re captivated in the moment. In the darkness, an adventure is beginning and you don’t want to miss it. 

But what if the story of Genesis isn’t a story about the adventurous, bounding beginning of creation, but instead a loving dedication to God’s children?