God Spoke

Read: Genesis 1 – 2:3

Although the inspiration for Holy Hustle came from the book of Ruth (something we might explore further later this month, but you can read more about it in the book), we’re going to start our journey together at the very beginning –learning how God models work and rest for us in Genesis. We need to take some time to make sure we understand what God has to say about this topic before we start talking about what it looks like in our lives.  Knowing what God says and understanding where we need His help will prepare us to be open to the work He wants to do in our lives.

In the Message paraphrase of this section of Scripture I was struck by the way each day started with “God spoke.” What a powerful reminder that, as we work and rest and go about our daily lives, sometimes it’s our words that can have the greatest impact. We can speak life and hope into the lives of people around us, or we can tear them down and cause chaos. If we’re embracing a life that works hard and rests  well for God’s glory – and not our own – our words play a big part. How we present ourselves, who we give the credit to, the way we lift others up or invite them to join us, or the way we say “no” to something so we have margin in our lives for rest – it comes down to our words.

Are we using our words to create something beautiful that honors God? Or are we carelessly throwing around our words, thoughtless about their effect or impact? As we read this section of Scripture we see God using words with purpose, with action, and in celebration. He speaks and the world is created. He speaks and calls the work (even when it’s unfinished) “good.” He speaks and declares rest “holy.”

When we work hard, putting our plans, agendas, and tasks in God’s hands and trust Him with the details, we can work hard until the job is done, and then rest well, knowing we have honored Him with our efforts – and our words.