Genesis 1:1-5
When God began creating the heavens
and the earth, the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit
of God brooding over the dark vapors.
Then God said, “Let there
be light.” And light appeared. And God was pleased with it and divided
the light from the darkness. He called the light “daytime,” and the
darkness “nighttime.” Together they formed the first day.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
If you want to have your
“disciple muscle” tested, try to explain God to a 3½-year-old! I was
reading a children’s Bible story to Nathan a few days ago about Jesus’
last days on earth. Nathan always asks a zillion questions when we read
books. But this time, as he looked at the pictures he asked, “Is THAT
God? Is THAT God? Well…where IS God?”
At first I told him
that “God is in Heaven,” and he would nod and say, “Granny is in Heaven
with God.” “Yes,” I would agree…that’s right.” But then he asked more
insistently, “But where IS God? Can’t we see Him?” I tried to explain
that we cannot see God in the same way that we see each other – or even
that people saw Jesus. But Nathan didn’t seem satisfied with this.
Finally, I said, “God is in your heart.” “God is in my HEART?” “Not IN
your heart,” I tried to explain again…”but we can feel God with us.
His spirit is in our heart and helps us…He loves us and we love HIM.”
This
will have to be revisited often. I have a sneaky feeling that right
now, Nathan thinks that God is like a little battery pack that
physically resides in his heart. But over time, I hope that “the lights
will go on” and he will understand more fully. This was how it
happened for Timothy – and it was a remarkable transformation to
observe. I am not sure how firm a grasp Zola has yet, but I know that
she does have some understanding of who God is.
I cannot put into
words what it means to know that these three little ones know God – at
least as well as their young intellectual minds will allow. More
importantly, they have a HEART for God. They understand that He loves
and cares for them like no other. They are learning about how God
created the heavens and earth…day and night…the land, sea and sky…and
all of the plants and animals that inhabit our world.
It is
humbling to think that God created ALL of this for ALL of us…including
me and my family. I am honored to be able to share the love of Christ –
and His message – with others, especially young children. I am so
privileged to be able to have a front-row seat to observe how these
little ones are transforming in their relationship with God and growing
to know and love Him more each day. I am honored to be able to share the
love of Christ – and His messages for us – with others each and every
day.
It started with darkness…murky, shapeless, vapor. But oh,
what God has done with that abyss! And He’s not finished! We are
called to share His love and light with others…to tell them of the
amazing sacrifices that He made for us in the form of Jesus…and to
encourage them to make a space in their own hearts for His spirit to
permanently reside. Where IS God for you today…and how will you share
Him with others? Isn’t it time you found the answer?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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