IN THE BEGINNING, GOD

IN THE BEGINNING, GOD

With the advent of Creation, I imagine that the Creator had a lot on God’s mind.  What color should a Swallowtail butterfly be?  How tall should I make the Rocky Mountains?  And were in the world did I put those left-over parts to make up the African Wildebeest?

This has been a pretty intense week for us, even with the 4^th of July holiday.  Mostly it has to do with the mental work of getting oriented.  Which way to the Post office?  Where can I get an inexpensive lunch?  And can I succeed in networking my laptop with the rest of the church computers?  I’m sure that very briefly these early tasks will seem very simple, but for the Pastor remembering everyone’s names and stories is an ever expanding challenge.

In seminary I recall a visit to Magnolia, Arkansas (right next to Toad Suck; the one-time Confederate capitol), when we visited a newly minted clergy friend in his first post.  After worship services we dined with a distinguished Southern gentlewoman in her grand antebellum home.  Being near 100 years old, she had forgotten our names by lunchtime, but I learned that she had a unique way of handling the situation.  In a very genteel manner Miss Imogene said, “You must forgive me, I remember you, but your names have entirely escape me!”

I wonder if God ever stopped in that first week to wonder what in the universe He intend to do with the other stars in the Milky Way.  I question in our own lives, if we can remember to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly, as the prophet Isaiah  said.  Can we endure hardship, uncertainty and defeat, and still find our way back to worship God as a defiant act of faith?

When I begin new things, I find it helpful to remember that just as at Creation, it is God who precedes us in our endeavors.  In the Beginning, God decided to start the ball rolling.  In the Beginning, God conceived of our relationship.  In the Beginning, God acted to separate day and night, heavens from earth and water from dry land.  I find it helpful to remember that GOD DID IT, and we were nowhere to be found! 

All of this is to say that whatever will come of our time together; earth and humanity, times of plenty and times of want, New Pastor and beloved Church – IN THE BEGINNING, GOD, and Creation is not a one time affair!  It is in God's nature to continue the miracle of Creation right up to and beyond our little day!

Grace and Peace,
Steve