A Dream about Genesis 1: 6
Hey Friends!
It's been a while since I last shared my thoughts here. Over the holidays, I made a conscious choice to be fully present, enjoying three weeks with our family all in one place. Social media took a back seat, and even homeschooling enjoyed a well-deserved vacation. Now, we're back in action with this week marking the return to our normal routine.
So, for this first post of the new year, I've been eager to share this crazy dream with you, because I truly believe it's not just meant for me.
The Dream
A couple of weeks ago, I awoke from a vivid dream – you know, the kind where you wake up feeling like it was so real, right in the middle of something significant, and you desperately want to go back to sleep and finish it? But, at the same time, you wonder if it was the melatonin gummy you took or maybe it’s a message to decipher. Haha, the struggle is real!
In this dream, a friend challenged me to memorize Genesis 1:6.
Now, normally, I'm all in for diving into a verse, but this one had me scratching my head – "What's the deal with separating water from water, God?" It's been on a loop in my mind ever since. Those who know me well can guess what happened next – I DUG in!
Discovering the Depths: Water's Role in Creation
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
Water's role in creation echoes through Scripture (Job 38; Psalm 136; 2 Peter 3). On day two, God divided the waters, creating an expanse, with the Spirit moving "over the face of the waters." A reminder that the Holy Spirit is ever-present, guiding us through life's waters.
Initially, I thought, "Okay, God set boundaries for water at creation, even in the calm meeting of water with water, there's a need for distinction." I was knee-deep in rearranging my office and our schoolroom, turning chaos into order. Seemed fitting, right? But that didn’t feel like the whole lesson. The true revelation struck during the relocation of my desk, which happened to carry our 20-gallon fish tank.
Fish Tank Drama and a Lesson in Matthew 11:28-30
Ever tried pushing a desk with a fish tank on it? Let's just say, my patient husband deserves a medal for averting the impending desk disaster. Water is HEAVY, and the legs of my desk were on the verge of collapsing, ready to spill water onto everything. In a real-life enactment of that dream verse, I had to separate the water!
Draining the tank, another verse hit me - Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest..."
I played the scenario again - In the very beginning of creation, God made light in the darkness and then hovered above and separated waters creating the atmosphere. What struck me is what comes after this verse in the Genesis story. God doesn’t just high-five Himself with an "it was good" after the water parting gig. It's when dry land, a place to rest, is fashioned.
So, here I was in the act of taking water out, lightening the load so that it was easier to carry, and setting it on another piece of furniture to rest (dry land, if you will), with a goal and a purpose of bringing new life (a breath of fresh air) into our space. My own personal Sunday school lesson, except it was actually on a Saturday.
He assures us, "I'll lift the heaviest of loads, create land for you to rest on, and show you what your life can truly look like. I want to create something new in you. No matter how deeply entwined it seems within you, I can carry it, and I WILL make something new out of the chaos. So, give it to GOD, let Him carry it; this is what His grace looks like."
I have shared some of those moments here on my blog when life felt like a turbulent sea. God has lifted me from the depths, placing me on a firm foundation. This act brings joy in chaos, a peace that defies logic. Offering to Him the pieces of ourselves that don’t make sense gives us a chance to breathe again, releasing a soul-crushing weight from our chest and heart.
Have you experienced similar moments?
Have you ever experienced those moments when it feels like God is speaking to you with a deliberate and powerful intention, revealing His character in ways that make denying His existence unfathomable? I love the Bible because I can read the same verse and learn something new every time.
Today, I paused as I read Psalm 107:28-30 – “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. YES, GOD!
MOMENTS OF REFLECTION
A few times this week, I have sat in our new room, eyes closed, envisioning God hovering above me. Thinking about how He shows up in the mess, waiting for us to admit we've got some heavy stuff going on. Ready to separate it, remove its weight, and lighten the load, so we can breathe. I’ve envisioned Him creating dry land from the depths of despair, so we can rest and bask in His light. We need only to, "Be still and know that I am God." That pause is glorious!
Evan, in his usual enthusiasm, has declared his own love for our new schoolroom multiple times this week. He even suggested “Let’s keep learning” after we finished lessons on Monday. Zack thought I was exaggerating, questioned Evan, and walked back into the room shaking his head and laughing. It was TRUE. There's a peace settling in, a breath of fresh air filling our lungs.
Just like our room found order when we let go, and created boundaries, often life finds its rhythm when we let ourselves lighten the load. So, let's remember: give God the broken pieces, and watch Him create an atmosphere where His light shines through. This is the essence of surrendering our brokenness, allowing God to separate it and bring forth something new and beautiful. It's a powerful journey of grace, a dance of transformation, in the arms of our Creator.
A Prayer for hard days :
Dear God,
Today was tough and we felt a bit like we were in deep waters. But we know you're with us, just like you were at the beginning, creating something new and beautiful.
Thank you for helping us. We want to let go of the heavy things and let you carry them, just like you carry the weight of the oceans. As we breathe deeply, help us feel your presence, like a deep exhale as you lift our burdens. Let your light shine through our tough times and make something good out of them.
We trust you to guide us to a place of rest and peace, like dry land after the storm.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Closing Thoughts and Prayer Requests:
I hope today's blog inspired and connected with you. I’d love it if you’d share your insights or reflections on this verse, or any other verse that resonates with you in the comments. Did it bring a new perspective or trigger thoughts on another passage? Let's learn and grow together by exploring the messages God reveals to each of us!
I invite you to make this space truly ours.
Share your prayer requests or suggest topics you'd love to hear more about. I want this community to be a haven where we support and uplift one another. Whether you're facing turbulent seas or enjoying moments of peace, let's unite in the powerful practice of collective prayer.
Comment below with your prayer requests or simply say "Pray for me." Remember, you are not alone on this journey.
Love, Jayna
