Guilt Free Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 1 - In the Beginning ...

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.
Genesis 1:1-2

The earth was formless and empty. If we are honest, we can all relate to that description - formless and empty.  As we begin a New Year, perhaps we are all seeking the same thing - a new beginning - a new direction - form and purpose - a full and meaningful life.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a prayer that has become a part of the service of commitment for a New Year in the United Methodist Book of Worship:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

I love the more contemporary version that has been written by Craig Finnestad:

I was once mine. From this point forward, I am yours. Make clear my purposes in life.
Place me among my loved ones and expand my heart to love all.
Help me to think the things you want me to think, say the things you want me to say,
and do the things You want me to do, even if it means I am belittled, ignored, or criticized.
Give me people to encourage, serve, and love.
Give me times of peace and rest so I can love and be loved by You.
Let me be a light to a dark world so people can see you working in me.
Make me humble and remind me that everything I have is because of You.
Thank You for times of happiness and prosperity - they are a gift.
Thank You for Your presence and promise in days of sadness and hardship that I may emerge stronger and wiser. Let me discover and embrace Your will for my life.
With joy and in fullness, I give my possessions, my time, and my energy to You and to Your purposes.
Almighty, holy, and blessed God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are my true love and I am Yours.

And so it is. Let the covenant I am making here on earth be acceptable and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Perhaps if this would be our prayer each day of the New Year, we could each discover that our lives are filled with meaning and purpose - just as God intended ... in the beginning ...