In the Beginning… - The Crosswalk Devotional - October 11

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In the Beginning…
By Megan J. Conner

Bible Reading:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NIV)

It was 2001, and I was working in a faith-based coffeeshop and bookstore (a revolutionary concept back then), when a man struck up what would be a life-altering conversation with me. He had traveled up from Los Angeles to my city and stumbled across our unique shop. He started chatting and shared with me that he had formed his own Christian theater company. As an actor, dancer, choreographer, and director within the performing arts arena myself, this was beyond inspiring.  Something in my spirit leaped inside of me, and I had this glimpse, this knowing, that one day I would walk in similar footsteps. 

I daydreamed while he continued to talk, and I imagined a dark stage illuminated by a single light and this exact scripture from John chapter 1, echoing through the auditorium. To this day, nearly 25 years later, the impact of that scripture has never left me. It has become deeply etched into my heart and has served as an anchor to my soul in both the good times and the bad.

In the beginning was the Word. The Bible tells us that God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The One who was, and is, and always will be (Rev. 1:8). He was there before the foundations of the world, and through his WORD all life was created (Gen. 1). Isn’t that incredible? As someone who studies and practices the craft of writing and spends most of her days considering, sharing, and utilizing words, it is beyond humbling to recognize the weight of language and its power to form and transform. 

Yet God did not just create the world with words; He gave us His Word to guide and direct us through life, to share His unfathomable love for us, and to direct us towards Him at all times. Truly, nothing has been made, nor will be made, without His expressed direction, acknowledgment, and permission.

He then goes on to establish that all of these works were made by and through Him, that in Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. That light pierces through the darkness of the world, of hearts, of lives, and the darkness cannot overcome it. God boldly declares that all life, every aspect of creation, from the smallest atom to the vast constellations, was made through Him.   And, in the midst of all life is the light of God, Himself.  That means that you and I carry the weight and the glory of the Lord within us.   Within the very fiber of our beings, we carry with us the light of the Lord. We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). What a weighty and holy calling!

The infinite, universe-creating God has embedded into you His Word and His light. He came before us to make a way so that we could follow in His footsteps and continue on as ambassadors for His mission. You are His own. He created and chose you to bear His light to the world. 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” John 1:5 (NIV).

For those interested, nearly ten years after that initial dream of a stage production beginning with this treasured scripture, I did in fact write, direct, and produce a full-length work that shared the gospel through the story of Christmas. It opened with this very scripture, a dark stage, and a single light. Don’t give up on the dreams God places in your heart. You never know when He will bring them to fulfillment. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What has been your understanding of today’s scripture? How did today’s devotional shine a new light on the eternal power of this famous passage? Are there dreams you felt the Lord placed in your heart that remain unfulfilled? If so, ask the Lord if there are steps He is calling you to take to bring those dreams into fruition.

Further Reading:
John 1:1-18
Matthew 5:14-16

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Gajus 

Megan J. Conner is an author, editor, speaker, avid consumer of literature, writing consultant, and overall lover of all things creative!  She is passionate about the written word and compelling storytelling. Whether that is through imaginative and whimsical children’s literature or faith-based works that allow readers to be immersed in narratives of authentic faith shared through the lives of imperfect people, Megan hopes to remind audiences of the beauty and power of shared stories.

To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter.  If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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