 Thursday: Days of Creation
"And the evening and the morning were the first day."
Gen. 1:5b
The creation account in Genesis 1 reflects the orderly character of God.
Day after day after day, new things are created. Each step in the creation
sequence prepares the way for things to come. Heaven and earth are created
on the first day. Without them, where could the rest of creation occur? Light
is also created on the first day, an essential source of energy for the rest
of creation and an inspiring symbol of the nature of God. On the second day
He divided the waters, followed by the creation of land and plants on the
third. Again this is orderly and logical. Without light and water, plants
could not grow. Light and water had to be there first, and they were. The
same cycle was repeated for animals and humans in the next three days, with
lights on the fourth day, creation of animals in the waters on the fifth,
and creation of animals on the land on the sixth. On the sixth day, having
prepared everything else, God also created man. When He had completed this
work, God rested on the seventh day.
A pilgrimage is also an orderly process. Light is essential to see the path.
Waters are needed to sustain us, and plants from the earth nourish us. As
in the creation story, the cycles of light, water, and nourishment repeat,
and we progress steadily toward our destination. Each step is taken in
preparation for steps that are yet to come, and time should be set aside
for rest.
On a pilgrimage, the need for order and preparation is not limited to the
physical journey. It is even more important for the spiritual journey. From
Old Testament days, people have been called on to prepare themselves to encounter
and serve God. Samuel told the Israelites, "Prepare your hearts unto the
LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you." 1 Samuel 7:3b.
The symbols of light, water, and nourishment from the earth have powerful
meaning on a spiritual pilgrimage. Spiritual light gives us inspiration and
vision. Christ said, "I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes
on me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46. Spiritual water gives life
and quenches the yearnings of the soul. Jesus said to the woman at the well,
"Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but
the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing
up into everlasting life." John 4:14. Spiritual food satisfies our hunger
and gives us strength for the journey. Speaking to the people who followed
Him after the miracle of fishes and loaves our Lord said, "I am the bread
of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger." John 6:35a.
On your pilgrimage, prepare your spirit to receive Jesus as your light. Let
Him quench the thirsting of your soul. Let him satisfy the hunger of your
spirit.
Great and awesome Creator God, your order is in everything that I see.
It is Your light that lets me see, Your water that quenches my thirst, Your
food that sustains me. You are my all in all. Guide me on my journey with
Your light. Refresh my soul with Your water of eternal life. Nourish my spirit
with Your food, the bread of heaven. In all of creation around me, remind
me always of Your order and Your plan to provide. I am grateful. For everything
I am grateful. In the name of Your Son, Jesus the Christ, my light, my water,
and my bread of life, Amen.
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