Just a few words – Gen 1

Then God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water.” Gen 1:6 ESV
The cup warmed my hands as I caressed it.  The rich aroma of chocolate crept into my nostrils as a faint vanilla sweetness rolled over my tongue in creamy small ripples.  My eyes slightly closed, basking in the indulgence as a shallow sigh of satisfaction slipped passed by lips.  Settled into the sofa, with a book in one hand and a bagel slathered with cream cheese in the other, I began my planned scripture reading in the dimly lit room.  The opening of the book must have sounded like a creaky old door rusted shut for over a 100 years opening for the first time because before completing 1 verse one of my little ones walked into the room followed in quick succession by the other abruptly and unequivocally ending my reading time.  Disappointed, I closed the book, knowing I would likely not find time with enough mental stamina to attempt this later in the day.  “Why do I even bother” I wondered to myself.  Dismayed, I pondered “how can I get in His presence with these stolen moments passing by fleetingly?”  Dejected, I began my day with its usual routines and responsibilities discouraged from even trying again planning that tomorrow and the next day will be no different so there was no point in trying.  As I hurried out of the door, God dropped into my spirit, a revelation that has forever changed how I see my time with Him.   

God said

Throughout Gen 1 God says “let there be..” and there was.  Repeatedly, He used those few words to accomplish big things.  He required no long 20 minute lecture to reveal the earth hidden beneath the waters, create the sun or the entire animal kingdom.  While it may take me hours to restore my home to a state presentable for guests after 2 little ones have dotted it with their presence despite repeated pleas to pick up this or clean that He illustrates in this passage He is not like man.  Halleluiah!  He can materialize an idea with just a few words. 

Something from nothing

By acknowledging He created everything where nothing existed with just a few words, why would I think on the days when my time with Him is interrupted that He cannot do something equal or greater in power?  God knows I am a time strapped mom of two littles with a full-time job outside of the home.  Their early mornings and late nights do not surprise Him even though after more than 5 years I seem to always get caught unaware.  Why would l keep God in a box by thinking I need to give Him a half hour or half a day to do something remarkable?  Why would l consider that the God who loves me would give me less of Himself because my day now looks different now compared to 6 years ago and decide not to do something life changing or life sustaining when I dedicate to Him the time I make for Him? Why would I think one word He speaks through scripture is wasted when Jesus instructed “let your words be few” in Matthew 6:7 reiterated from Ecclesiastes 5:2. 

I understand now the one scripture or half a scripture I read that day is more than enough for Him to produce a harvest.  It’s more than enough for Him to lay a foundation of solid rock to stand and it’s more than enough for Him to move mountains so when I hear the whimper, the wails and the whining permeating the air from the other room just as I settled in I can place what I have in His hands and get excited to see God move mightily. 

Sow the seed:

• Thank God for the time you do have with Him even if it’s just a few seconds to say thank you.

• Read "Guide to more time with God" for some possible ways to connect with God throughout the day with limited time

• Try this: While in the car or washing dishes sing a song of praise to Him and listen for Him to sing back to your spirit.

• If you were not able to spend time with God to receive a new word today, then listen for God to bring one to your remembrance and mediate on the word He speaks to with it. 

Nurture the seed:

• He inhabits the praises of His people.  Ps 22:3 (ESV)

• But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  John 14:26 (ESV)

• One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fits for you, just He promised.  Joshua 23:10

• He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matt 17:20

Note: The scripture locations noted throughout the passage are hyperlinked to an online bible resource for further reading and other translations for further study.