In the Beginning...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Genesis 1:1.

As you may have previously read…I love spending vacations at the beach!  It’s a time when I can forget about the demands of life and just relax and enjoy a much-needed break!

I love getting up early to stroll along the beach.  My stroll may include picking up an unusual seashell to add to my collection…watching little crabs scurry across the sand…or sidestepping a jellyfish that has washed ashore!

If I am ambitious…I love running on the beach early in the morning.  My run allows me to feel the sand squishing between my toes or the waves splashing my legs as I enjoy the refreshing, cool ocean water.

The world around me is quiet!  Often, all I hear are the waves lapping against the shore!

It’s not unusual for me to take a break from my walk or jog and just sit and look out at the ocean!  It’s vast…endless…and I just soak in the beauty of it!

As I quietly sit enjoying the beauty of the world around me, I think of the first words written in the bible… In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Genesis 1:1.

My mind begins to ponder how God created everything around me!

I think of all of the creatures that God created to fill the oceans…and how uniquely each one was made!  And I think…only an amazing God could create the numerous creatures that fill the oceans!

Scripture says… So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good…Genesis 1:21.

And then my small mind begins to ponder how detailed God was when He created the heavens and earth. 

Who else could fathom the workings of all that was created around us?

My mind continues to ponder as I look at the sky and how it appears to meet the ocean…both appearing to be endless!

I sit there and gaze at the beauty that surrounds me!

And if I time it right…I can gaze upon an amazing sunrise…which literally takes my breath away!

Only God could create the masterpiece that fills the skies early each morning!

The pinks…blues…yellows…oranges that fill the skies are absolutely breathtaking!  No artist can capture the beauty on canvas as well as God as He lights up the morning with his masterpiece!

Seagulls fly and swoop down around me as they try to pick up crumbs from yesterday’s picnic lunches!

And when I wade out into the ocean waters, I often see little fish swimming along in the shallow waters or shell that is being tossed ashore with the incoming tide!

As I continue to think about God’s creation, I am reminded of what His word says…Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.  By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work…Genesis 2:1-3.

After God created the heavens and earth…He rested!

It’s easy to sit and relax on the beach and forget about the worries of life.  But unless you live on the beach (something I could get use to)…you soon have to return home…to the demands of everyday life…and if we are completely honest…life can be overwhelming at times!

It’s easy to forget our cares…concerns…troubles when we step away and take a break from it all, but then we return home…we return to reality!

And so I am reminded…I need to take time and rest in Him when I return home from vacation!

This is not easy for me!  I tend to be on the go…constantly doing something or going somewhere…taking very little time to set and be still before the Lord!

Even when I lay down at night…my mind is often racing…going in numerous directions at once….keeping me from falling asleep!

And when I finally do fall asleep…I am often awakened in the middle of the night…and again, my mind is filled with numerous thoughts…thoughts for family, friends, loved ones…cares, concerns, needs…so I pray, lifting up each loved and each need that comes to my mind!

And when I no longer know who or what to pray for…I sometimes just hold my bible next to me…asking God to quiet my spirit…and just fill me with his presence and peace!

I know God is in control of every situation that I have lifted up in prayer to Him…so I know that I can rest in HIM…trusting and believing that God is who HE says HE is…and HE cares about my loved ones and what they are facing! 

So even though I may not have the opportunity to sit on the beach…listening to the waves…I can choose to sit before the Lord…and allow myself to rest in Him…allow myself to be refreshed…before moving “on to the next deal”….as my dear friend Jim Peck would say.

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for the beauty of your creation and times to sit and enjoy it!  Thank you for breaks and vacations that allow us an opportunity to unwind and provided an opportunity to rest and relax!  But Lord…help each of us to take time to rest in you during our busy weeks…help us to sit at your feet for a time of refreshing so that we can that go forward and be used for your glory!