What will we do with the blank canvas of 2023 that God has given us?
By Dean Collins
The possibilities could be seen only by the divine artist. The canvas was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. Deep waters and darkness seem like something to be avoided, but when God looked at this combination, his creative powers unleashed something that is still beautiful for us to see and experience daily.
The master Creator started with light and spoke it into existence. He smiled over his divine illumination and said it was good. With the next stroke of his brush, he separated light from the darkness, and ever since, we have the beauty of the morning and the mystery and inspiration that comes when darkness greets us in the evening. Day One was a good day.
On Day Four, our master Creator added new dimensions to the light and darkness. He placed both sun and moon in the sky and allowed us to see the full palate of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Again he smiled and declared Day Four a success.
A good question
In 1964, Ralph Carmichael wrote the song “He’s Everything to Me.” If you attended church or went to any Christian youth camp or vacation Bible school in the late 60s and early 70s, you sang these familiar lines. Billy Graham used this song in his 1965 crusades.
In the stars his handiwork I see
On the wind he speaks with majesty
Though he ruleth over land and sea
What is that to me?
It’s a good question. We see the handiwork of God daily. The early days of God’s creation are indeed magnificent to behold. And on the Sixth Day his power did something hard to comprehend. He created us in his image and gave us the responsibility to care for and govern his creation. God gave us our very existence along with his glorious earth and freedom to enjoy it and take care of it.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night.’ And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.”
A blank canvas
Today, on Day Four of this new year we have a mostly blank canvas as we consider what we will do in the months before us. Some daily responsibilities will continue, but we also have new and fresh possibilities for what God can do in us and through us as we offer ourselves and our talents to him. Because of his wonderful design, we possess creative abilities. We also have a divine mandate to be good stewards of his creation.
Ralph Carmichael’s song resolves by declaring that he met Jesus face-to-face and felt the wonder of his grace. He knew God wasn’t simply out there somewhere but daily walking with him. God by his Spirit lives in us and guides us every day as we surrender to him in gratitude for the gift of his Son, Jesus.
Lord, we look at this new year with hope because of Jesus. We do not look ahead with fear, because your perfect love casts out our fears. By your creative power alive in us, we surrender the canvas of 2023. Equip us, guide us, and use us to bring light and hope to those you place around us this year. We cannot wait to see the finished artwork you will bring about through us and our surrender to you this year! Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19, 26-31 NLT
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