“Momma, how old is God?”
“God doesn’t have an age. God simply is. He is timeless.”
“Is he at least a hundred?”
“At least.”
“A thousand?”
“At least.”
“Was he here before it was dark?”
“Of course he was. Well…hmmmmm. Let me get back to you on that one.”
My children’s questions about God are the rich treasures in this season of our “doing life” together. Their hearts are tender and ripe for the seeding of sacred truth. They couldn’t have asked such questions a few years ago; their articulations prevented them from doing so. But they’ve grown, both in the physical and in the spiritual, and their hearts cry out for further clarity on some issues. For truth. For the firm roots that will form their theology about who God is and about his role in their world. Theology formed in the right now, will likely stay with them for a long season.
Thus, I want to answer them correctly and with the truth that is firmly entrenched in my own heart. I want to, but unfortunately, there are times when my “want to” doesn’t match up with my knowledge. Today was one of those days.
My daughter wants to know if God was around before there was darkness.
Darkness to her may not mean the same thing as it does to you and to me. As Christians, we level countless spiritual metaphors with the concept of darkness.
Evil.
Satan.
Sin.
Lawlessness.
Prodigal living.
Separation.
Hell.
But my daughter wasn’t asking for metaphors and for spiritual application. Darkness to Amelia means a few simple things.
Bedtime.
Bath and pj’s.
Absence of sunlight.
Moon and stars.
Monsters and an entire host of scary happenings that seem to only surface when the lights go down.
Insecurity.
Separation from mom and dad.
What Amelia wanted to know was where her God was when “dark nights” came into being. Was he alive? Was he aware? And I think, in part,
What in the world was he thinking?
If God was in the beginning, a God wrapped in unapproachable light and glory, why on earth did he create life with a dark side? Why, indeed?!
It’s a good question. And while darkness defines differently for my daughter and me, to ponder its beginning is a worthy dig for me tonight. Thus, I head back to the beginning—to the genesis of all beginnings. And here is what I know to be true as found in Genesis 1:1-5. In the beginning there was…
God (Elohim /plural).
Heavens.
An earth void of form.
Some dark.
Some deep.
Some waters.
Some holy hovering.
(Read it again, forming the picture in your mind…)
And then…
There was light. The first spoken word of creation. Light. Good light. A day’s light that allowed a day’s expression and appreciation for God’s creative genius. Darkness didn’t find its creation on that first day. It already was; it simply found its separation from that which received God’s audible and holy “good.”
Does this mean that darkness is bad? I’m not sure. But it was surely present in the beginning, and God thought it important enough for there to be a division between darkness and light. It makes sense that He who created the one is also the creator of the other. God speaks to this through the prophet Isaiah when he says,
“I form the light and create darkness, …” (Isaiah 45:7).
And to Job when he says,
“‘Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, …?’” (Job 38:8-9).
So it seems as if I have an answer to the first notion of my daughter’s question. Yes, precious Amelia, I think that God is older than the darkness. But as to the second unspoken part of your question that deals with the darkness’s purpose, the answer is more veiled. And while I cannot fully reason the importance of a night’s darkness, God permitted its breath.
Perhaps to allow evil to find its metaphor.
Perhaps to allow free will to find its roam.
Perhaps to pulse the antithesis of God’s lighted witness.
Perhaps, because, God knew that without it, we would never fully appreciate the embrace of a new and every morning’s kind of faithful light.
And perhaps, just maybe, because he knew that the faith of a child lives pretty simply and that the mystery and seeming danger of a night’s hold would create the needful longing for the light’s approach.
Twenty-four hours of light, 365 days a year, breathes complacent and walks easy. But when half of our life breathes heavy and walks hard with the darkness that is allowed its measure of influence, well…it creates in us the same needful longing that it creates in my daughter.
A hunger for Light.
A desire for living, not sleeping.
A yearning for awareness and for participation in a day’s doing.
A longing to see that which cannot be visioned under the cover of darkness.
And that, my friends, seeds some purpose into any night’s pause. If it leads me to my hunger for Jesus in deeper measure, then heartily and willingly I pray,
Let the evening come, Lord, and let it blanket me with the expectancy of your morning’s Light. Let not the separation fuel my fear, but rather let the separation stir my longing for walking in the illumination of a new day’s faithfulness. Thank you for the mystery of my beginnings. Keep me to the study of your Word so that I am ready with an answer for the hope that breathes within me. But most importantly, keep me to my awe for the mysterious unanswerables in your Word. Root me in knowledge, but anchor me in faith. Amen.
Copyright © August 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
~elaine
How grateful I am for the treasure of God’s Word and the study therein. I might not always do it perfectly, but I am confident of its effectual work in me. I hope that you feel the same. Thank you for the privilege of “digging” alongside you this day. May God’s Word breathe its strong witness over your heart and life even now! Shalom.
rich…He has spoken through you again.
My mother always told us, You can’t fully appreciate the top of the mountain unless you climb up from the valley.
I was a child scared of the dark, and my mother’s reassuring words of God’s eternal, steadfast watching eyes comforted me…and I, too, couldn’t grasp His never sleeping…but it still comforted me.
Our Lord is a loving, watchful, steadfast rock that we can count on for His promises NEVER fail. Oh, thank you, Jesus, for I drop the ball when I try so hard to balance it myself. Continue your watch over us, our children and our children’s children who have not even been born yet…but You already have their names written in the palm of Your hand.
Your daughter’s question gives God praise!
…and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” Matthew 21:16 NKJV
Today my son came home from school and told me about the third day of creation- when God brought forth the land from the sea and caused the earth to bring forth fruit.
Yes, there is the dark and the light, the void and the “bringing forth.” And it is so wondrous and unexplainable all in one.
Elaine, I’m still pondering what you wrote about the darkness being created to cause the needful longing of the light’s approach…the Light’s approach.
I don’t know about you, but darkness sharpens my senses. Distractions and busyness of day surrender to the quiet, calm of night. I listen more intently. God’s Word tells me He brings treasures in darkness, and I love in the Psalms where it says that darkness is as light to the Lord. There is no darkness with Him.
Darkness has a purpose, whether just the going down of the sun for needed physical rest, or dark nights of our soul where we learn to trust in Him.
The prince of darkness will one day be forever subdued and we are promised that, in heaven, there will be no night there.
Looking forward to that day of seeing the Son,
Joy
I was thinking the same thing as “Joyful.”
I never thought about the “darkness” in helping me search for the “light.”
That is deep.
But you can’t fully appreciate the light, if you have never been stuck in darkness.
Much like when the power goes out.
We take electricity for granted; we become complacent about it.
But you let the power be off due to a storm (or whatever else), and suddenly you realize that your entire life functions and runs well, because you have that “power.”
You always make me think, Elaine.
I thank you for that.
I have started my workbook. I’m not very far yet, but the first two pages were a lot of eye opening thoughts for me.
It’s funny how I put down that the fall was my favorite season (for numerous reasons); then when she asks what season you feel like your in, I once again answered fall….Then it dawned on me, I wish I loved my spiritual “fall season” as much as I do the “physical” one.;)
God Bless,
Amy:)
It is amazing to see where the minds of our children have been.
Maybe a little deeper than they think….I think it comes naturally before it is shut off in some by age.
This post could lead to some really neat discussion time in a group setting.
I don’t think God sees darkness as we do. If all He created was considered good…..then darkness is good to. And even the darkness nothing remains hidden from Him. Darkness brings no limits to Him. Maybe it is just like the shadow of a passing cloud.
That there is no shut down or rest time to God is something that has always amazed me. But, I am sincerely glad that He gave us that shut down time. 🙂
I like the idea about the darkness creating a hunger in us for the light.
Thought provoking….I like that.
Children are so precious! What an awesome question! And you’re such a great mom to research study and show her the truth, and remind us of God’s awesome creativity!
Thanks for this post!
Blessings,
Kennisha
Elaine,
Your posts are so insightful – it would take me a week to write just one! God speaks to you, girl!
Oh the wonders of darkness …
Psalm 139 …even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (v12)
and then there are the special things wrapped in darkness …
Is 45 … I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (v3)
Looks like you’ve unearthed a few of these treasures yourself!
Kathleen
wifeforthejourney:
Bless you for always looking for the “teachable moments” with our children. Your readers should know that you are even better in person than you are in blogland!
Eleven years and counting, life with you is filled with the light of faith for our whole family. You are the best honey!
Love,
Billy
Wow, what a deep post! Isn’t it amazing how our children can lead us to such depths of thought!
I agree with your thoughts on why God allows darkness. We become far too complacent when life is good and far too likely to become full of pride. Darkness gives us a reason to cling to and hold fast to Him.
I just love learning more about God through my sons questions. I think it is amazing the seeds you are planting for your childrens future.
Incredible insights brought about by such thoughtful questions. This is lovely and so profound.
God was – even before the earth was formless, empty and dark – God was. And… in that darkness, God was there waiting to say Let there be light!
When we have our dark times He is there waiting to give us Light! In this world we will have trouble (dark) but take heart Jesus (light) has overcome the world!
Very thought provoking post!
And very interesting comments as well. I agree with Sharon. . this would be an interesting discussion in a group setting. . so the next best thing is the blog comments!
Have any of you ever been to Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico? I understand they no longer turn off the lights in the cave but when my husband and I visited, they did. It was so black it almost took your breath away. You could see NOTHING! But when the lights came back on, what a contrast!
In John it says, “God is Light, in Him is no darkness at all” We wouldn’t have a clue of what glorious light could be without having been in the darkness.
I think several of us are saying the same thing in our own way.
Does Amelia know what a discussion her question has created?
mary
I love those questions the kids bring to me…they usually spark a deep journey for me. The quest for truth is not always black and white, hmmm? Sounds much the same in this case! I enjoyed this post, Elaine!
What an excellent post. The paragraph beginning, “Perhaps to allow evil to find its metaphor” is my favorite. I love that statement and those that follow. The whole post was deep and meaningful. And I love the way you portrayed your daughter’s innocence in enumerating what darkness represents to her. (Can you tell I’m a former English major?)
Oh the depth of our children, and the understanding they bring to the Word of God through their eyes. It’s just a treasure to my heart always.
Darkness is when God sends all his angels to sit on your headboard to watch over you. My kids know this to truly be, and have never questioned it.
It’s late and as I climb into bed I’m going to ponder this one….
Love this one….
And perhaps, just maybe, because he knew that the faith of a child lives pretty simply and that the mystery and seeming danger of a night’s hold would create the needful longing for the light’s approach.
Oh my…
Ps. 119:130, The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Thanks once again for bringing forth such truths~
Hi, ElaIne, thanks for reading my post on Rachelle’s blog and leaving a comment! I am glad to have found your blog and will make a point of stopping by. Your words are filled with wisdome and I appreciate them today.
These are the things that keep me up at night…or put me right to sleep when I say, “I’ll think about that tomorrow and I know God loves me today.”
Love your musings. We are so blessed!
What beautiful reflections from Amelia’s question! As I read your post, I immediately began hearing in my head the words to the song “Marvelous Light”
“Into marvelous light I am running
out of darkness out of shame
by the cross you are the truth
you are the life, you are the way”
I love the thought of “a needful longing of light’s approach.”
You are my lamp, O LORD, the LORD turns my darkness into light…
2 Sam. 22:29
Blessed,
Tracy
Amelia is having deep thoughts and questions and is expressing them with the blessed assurance that a meaningful and satisfying answer will be forthcoming.
Blessings all around!
R.& B.
You’ve been tagged, my dear!
WOW. Just thinking about if He was here before darkness is too much on my brian tonight. There is so much to comprehend. He is so amazing to comprehend…
In His graces~Pamela
Elaine,
I love how the question of another, spurs us to to search. I love how you took this and caused me to think of something I’m not sure I have before. Was dark here before God?
In your prayer you stated: Keep me to the study of your Word so that I am ready with an answer for the hope that breathes within me. But most importantly, keep me to my awe for the mysterious unanswerables in your Word. Root me in knowledge, but anchor me in faith. Amen.
Lord, this is my heart also. Thank You for Elaine, for her heart that hungers after You, and for the spurring on of my own faith that You provide through her writings. Amen.
Lovingly,
Yolanda