In the Beginning God

I heard Ravi Zacharias speak about a friend of his who had died in a tragic accident.  He told the story of the man's twelve year old son who had written a letter to some close family friends thanking them for their support and friendship.  In this letter the son told about his father's favorite words in the Bible...Genesis 1:1  "In the beginning God..."

Wow.  Think about those words for a moment.  "In the beginning God."  Sorry for the cliche, but a light bulb went off in my head when I heard these words that Sunday morning on the way to church.  In the beginning God. 

In the beginning of my day, God.  In the beginning of ministry, God.  In the beginning of a marriage, God.  In the beginning of a project, God.  In the beginning of a new journey, God.   In the beginning of everything, God.  Just like creation itself, everything in our lives should start with God.

I once heard it said that the Cross needs to be at the center of anything and everything one does.  Our days and lives should start with God, end with God and have God in the center of everything, walking on earth, but keeping an eye towards the eternal.  But anytime we start a new chapter, seek to step out in an unfamiliar path, make big decisions....we need to start with God.  Go to Him in prayer and seek His will first. 

If we are walking in the Spirit, we have wisdom and common sense to get through our day.  Hearts open, ears listening we navigate the choppy, often turbulent waters of life here on earth.  Do we eat cookies for dinner or salad, do I drive the speed limit or fly down the road because I'm late.  Do I overspend on conveniences when I know I need to be saving money...these are where walking in the wisdom of the Spirit should be the norm for us.  Our mornings should see us seeking His will and wisdom for the day ahead, "in the beginning God." 

Often we are called to life altering decisions, overwhelming circumstances, new and unknown fields of ministry, and we need to remember to put God at the start of any and all steps we take, decisions we make, challenges we face.  Whether we are deciding to buy a new home, start a new job, get married, embark on a missions trip, pick a church, leave a church, facing a serious illness...."in the beginning, God."   He has to be the lead and start of all our days and journeys, the head of all our bigs and smalls.  In Matthew 6:33 we are told:  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  We are to seek God and His purposes before we do anything else.  

I now love these words from Scripture as well.  I can see them at the start of each new morning.  What a beautiful thought as we rise from our night's rest to focus our hearts and minds on our loving Savior.  To seek Him first as we enter a new day, a new endeavor or new chapter in our lives. 

In the beginning God.  Lord, I make You the start of my day.  I make You the start of my thinking, my decisions, my words and my actions.  Be the start of everything I do, be the middle and the end as well.  Lord, I want nothing but to begin in You and follow where You lead.  As I open my eyes in the morning, please be my first thought, and as we know that You are the alpha and the omega, be my last thought before my eyes close again at night.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Start at the beginning...with God. 

Revelation 22:13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”