Fall Beginnings

In the beginning God created the havens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2 NIV)

Spring is commonly associated with new beginnings, but I would argue that fall should be, too. It marks a new school year. It marks the beginning of the colder months. The tastes of fall with their warm spiced flavors are a prelude to the holiday festivities and feasts. Creekside has even historically done fall kick-offs for our church events. And this year, it marks the run-up to the elections.

Not to worry, this is most definitely not a political post. But it is a reminder that God was there in the beginning—before timelines were even a thing. In fact, it was not until the fourth day that God made “lights in the vault of the sky…[to] serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years” (Genesis 1:14). The Trinity was there before the beginning, as God the Father created, the Spirit of God hovered, and Jesus, the Word of God (John 1:1-3) was there with them, as earth came from a formless and empty void.

Because of my humanness, my mind is stuck on the idea of time and timelines. It is unfathomable what it truly means for God to have been there before time, I think because my life does not exist out of time. God does. And it is so encouraging to know that He has a timeline for everything, knowing both the beginnings and end, as it does not affect him.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,. 2 Peter 3:8.

God marks the beginnings and will be there waiting at the endings.

So, while it has seemed like both a long and short year, marked with so much turmoil and uncertainty, I remember, He’s been there since before the beginning and was always hovering, ready to bring into existence… well, everything. While all this uncertainty has thrown so many plans out the window, this fall still marks the beginning of so many things, from Alpha at church to schooling for our kiddos to new leaders and new pandemic timelines. And good or bad, our God who pre-dates beginnings has known of all things, and is constantly working all things towards good (Romans 8:28). Happy fall beginnings everyone!