It was the pandemic. A lot of us were going stir-crazy. I looked around my living room and was bothered by a rather rough piece of furniture I viewed daily. There was no money to replace it so I thought “Why not refinish it?” I watched YouTube videos and read instructions on how to do the work. I redesigned it in my head. Then I began the physical work: sanding, stripping it down, taking it apart, painting, and then adding the hardware and coats of sealant. Never once during this time did I ever go to my back porch (that was my work area), sit there and expect a new piece of furniture to instantly appear. I needed the materials, the ideas, the sweat equity and the hard work to put the piece together.
I AM POWERLESS
The Holy Spirit’s approach to creation is totally different than mine. He has the ideas, the sweat equity and the hard work, but He is so powerful that He speaks the words and it happens. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath [Spirit] of His mouth. (Psalm 33:6) God has never had to go to GR Mitchell for His materials. He never reads instructions or watches videos. God just speaks and it is. His words are limitless in their power: He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. (Psalm 33:7) I have never presumed that I could gather up all the oceans in a heap. I am powerless. Often, I have found plenty of furniture projects tedious and frustrating. The Holy Spirit has a different view of work. He doesn’t get burnt out in what He wonderfully creates. He makes no mistakes, never fumbles, and whatever He does is awesome. We are the ones that pour the refuse and junk on His creations.
CREATING A WORLD THAT WOULD GO SIDEWAYS
When our earth’s physical clock began ticking at creation, The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) “Hovering” is the idea of a bird sitting in a nest, sitting and brooding over her eggs, caring for these new little lives. He cares. He cares eternally. Even then, He loved us, even though He knew He was creating a world that would choose to go sideways.
SOFT WHISPERS WE HEAR FROM HIM
If you want to know God better, I especially recommend you read John 38-42. Previous to this, there is one observation of Job regarding God that is spot on: His (God’s) breath made the skies bright and clear. His hand wounded the serpent that glides through the sea. Those are only on the edges of what He does. They are only the soft whispers that we hear from Him. So, who can understand how very powerful He is? (Job 26:13-14 NIRV)
I AM CREATING FURTHER BROKENESS
God, The Holy Spirit, is hovering over your life. He cares, even when your life goes sideways. I have found it futile when I spend a lot of time reimagining my own life, stripping it down, taking it apart, painting with a big smile, and sealing it all under my own power. I can make all the resolutions I want, try my hardest, but I am creating further brokenness. The only One Who can create truly new life in me is the Holy Spirit. He is hovering over me. Are you letting Him hover over you?