Afterward
Genesis 1, Genesis 2, Galatians, and Revelation 21 and 22
John 10:10b, Amplified Bible
Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
The Beginning, Parts 1-4
Sometimes I have a plan that I think is a great plan. See...I’m an idea person. One of my top 5 strengths (according to Strength Finders) is ideation. This book started out to be an ebook about Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2. That was the plan.
It turned out, God had another plan, a better plan.
After I finished Part 1 from Genesis 1, God said to me, “What about my character?”
Hummm...like in what sense?
God said, “like fruit.”
Then I remembered Galatians 5:22-23. (Actually, I’m not kidding myself, I didn’t remember. God reminded me about Galatians 5).
Okay, God. Galatians 5 it is.
But God had a bigger plan. “Let’s unpack Galatians.”
So, Part 2 was born. It ended up including all of Galatians. Once again, it wasn’t part of my initial plan, but we studied all of Galatians. I learned a ton (and I hope you did, too).
After studying about the character of God through the eyes of the Apostle Paul, I headed back to Genesis 2 to pick up where we left off to do Part 3. The perspective in Genesis 2 was very different than Genesis 1 and God was good to teach me and show me the differences. I was reminded that perspective is important. Each account in Genesis 1 and 2 contains a unique perspective. Both are important.
As I was nearing the end of Part 3 I thought I was wrapping up the book “The Beginning”, but God had another plan.
God said, “What about the New Beginning in Revelation 21 and 22?”
Quite frankly, I hadn’t thought of that. I read the last two chapters of Revelation and God highlighted things that should be included in “The Beginning”.
So, Part 4 was born.
And so it is. Amen God.
Sometimes (actually, most of the time) God has a better idea but He doesn’t reveal it all at once. I think that’s because God is so very kind to me. As I live and as I study, God reveals things, big and small.
Often, when I think I know what I’m doing, God ever so gently stops me and shows me a better way. I love that! I love it because God is faithful to teach me. That’s because God IS love.
Studying the character of God from the perspective of creation and new creation helps me to see God’s goodness. Thinking about the creativity of thousands of land and sea creatures that God created made it so I could understand God’s joy.
Realizing how carefully God planned the New Creation helped me to see how very patient God is with creation. Every aspect from start to finish was planned perfectly and in the in-between, God shows us great self-control.
I’ve said before as my dad aged he talked about God’s peace a lot. I didn’t know it at the time but as he entered his 50’s he was in his last decade of life. God left that hidden from me. God protected me by giving me good moments filled with joy. I think as my dad’s time of new beginning began to emerge, he knew real peace was ever so near.
After his passing I had a hard time adjusting to the new normal. I had relied on my dad and his faith. Day by day, year by year, I grew up and I grew closer to God. My dad’s New Beginning became part of my story. I finally understood why my dad talked so much about God’s peace.
It’s real.
It’s abundantly available.
One of my top 100 scripture verses is John 10:10b, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
That is God’s plan for us.
When God created the heavens and the earth He had us in mind. He thought of our needs and desires. He created out of His abundant love for us. The character (fruit) of God is seen throughout creation. True, sometimes we have to look for it, but it IS there. It is available. It IS ABUNDANT.
Today, I’m the one who seeks God’s abundant peace. I’ve noticed when The Spirit comes to me to tell me something, the first feeling I have is great peace. The other fruit of the Spirit are there, but I have come to recognize the presence of God through His peace. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again...it’s out of this world!
As we finish The Beginning, I look back and remember I had a plan. But, God had a better plan. His plan included showing me the big picture and how His character is seen in creation. God’s love, joy, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self-control, faithfulness, and yes, God’s peace are all around us. They are available to us every minute of every day. We only need to open our hands to receive them. Matthew 7:7-8 tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Seek Peace
Ask God to fill you with His peace throughout your day. Soak it in. Embrace God’s peace. Recognize it as one of the greatest gifts we can have in all of creation.
In God, Deborah
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