“So far, so good.” Do you ever say that? Someone asks, “How is it going this year, so far?” “So far, so good.” Having pondered this extensively, it occurs to me that so far is all that we have. On this third day of our new year, how is it going for you?
Scientists contemplate what the beginning of the world was like. The Torah, beginning with Genesis gives us another perspective on the beginning of the world. I know some want to focus on the age of the earth, but Genesis focuses more specifically on the Creator. On the first day, he created light, simply by speaking the words, “Let there be light.”
The Hebrew word for day is used in a number of different ways. It can speak of twenty-four hours or of a more indefinite length of time. An omnipotent God can create instantly. The first thing he created was light. When God spoke light, he saw that light was good. God defined light and then he gave it a name. New things need new names.
At a Baptist business meeting in the South, a church deliberated about the need to buy a chandelier. Everyone spoke their piece. Then the eldest deacon who had listened to the opinions of others, seized the moment to express his point of view. He explained, “I am against the church buying a chandelier for three reasons: first, we cannot afford it, second, none of us can even spell it, and third, what we really need around here is some light.” I think he was right. Our world needs light. It turns out God can both afford and spell light. He says it is good.
When Jesus came into the world, he explained that he was the light of the world. Then he extended it to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead , they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Reflecting God’s light, we are the light of the world. How are we doing so far? So far, so good.
