In Genesis 1 we read about God creating the heavens and the earth. Right off the bat, we read that the earth was empty, dark, and formless. At some moment in time, God-breathed this creation that we get to enjoy. Flowers, red and orange leaves changing, birds singing, mountains and sunsets. You and me. God-breathed beauty and wonder and love from something that was nothing. Something that was empty and void into something that was absolutely breathtaking. 

I don’t know about you, but there are times when I feel empty. I feel whipped. It’s no secret that Covid can really zap us clean of excitement and energy. Our nation is in this weird funk right now of categorizing ourselves into being right or wrong, and not being able to agree to disagree and continue to love our neighbor. Cancer diagnoses, divorce, war, betrayal, and more create a void in our hearts and minds. These things empty us.

Well, I’ve got good news for you. We have a God who wants to welcome us in. A God who breathes life and beauty into that which is formless and void. A God who loves all of us no matter what is going on. A God who can fill our emptiness with fullness of compassion, love, and energy to keep ongoing. 

Our Creator keeps creating. Let him breathe love and life into whatever emptiness you are feeling today. Let your kids see you welcome him into the void and create something incredible in your life. Talk to your kids about the miracle of God breathing light into the darkness. Times are certainly hard, but God has already overcome the world. May he enter in and give us the light to keep hope alive and change the world for the better. Have a wonderful week!

—John Barkel