A Genesis Story

JUST A THOUGHT … Have you ever been in a situation “that” or known someone “who” literally sucked the joy out of the day? It seems to me that such is the Genesis story, and it is a story that keeps being repeated throughout the book. It’s a relationship story. The story of God and God’s very good creation. All creation was good, but when God put it all together it was very good. And, the very good came when ultimately God’s creation carried the image of the Holy One. So, in the Garden, God visited with, talked with, encouraged, provided for, instructed, guided, touched, and cared for. God got to know up close and personal the apex of creation. God journeyed with Adam and Eve in an On-going, committed personal relationship. Then, suddenly, they turned. They abandoned. They forgot. They ignored. They stepped out of the light and into the darkness. They stumbled. There was a fall. They sucked the joy out of the day! And, ultimately God had the joy sucked out of the day, too. There was a sad, dark invasion. Breathlessness shrouded the Garden. Adam and Eve lost their breath, their mooring. They cut loose from the Anchor. God grieved. Over and again, throughout Genesis, God’s creation would suck the joy out of the day. Maybe you, too, have experienced such in a relationship that fractured. Such is also the story of Abraham, Sarah, Noah, Isaac, Pharaoh, Joseph, Miriam, and Moses. It’s our story, too. Seems to me, it’s the Genesis Story. A story of joy being sucked out and found again. Everything God has done since God dispelled Adam and Eve from the Garden, has been to bring men and women back into that Garden Relationship. A relationship of joy and life. God says, I’ve come that you might have life, abundant life, not a life where the joy is sucked away, but rather breathed into you. And, God sent God’s only son, to ensure such. The hymn writer is right, “Breathed on me, breathe on me. Holy Spirit breathe on me.” It’s a Genesis story — creation, re-creation, knowing God — joy for the journey. So, the next time someone sucks the joy out of your day, do what the Holy One did, LOVE anyway! Just a thought …