God doesn’t call us to be a light for others without giving us the wherewithal, motivation and soundness of self as a foundation for our own lives. Remembering and noticing and engaging with Him and the works He has prepared for you is always easier when you turn to the newly created dawn and His renewal washes over you like the light of the sun.
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this. It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
One of the habits of Jesus that is noted in the New Testament is that even though He had a busy day, He often arose very early in the morning, while it was still dark, to find a secluded place to meet the sun with His Father (Mark 1:35).
We … love … sunrises! It has to be part of our human DNA. Of course you do have to get up especially early to find a place where you can see the light spill over the horizon, over the clouds or over the trees. But it is always worth it. I have taken thousands of pictures of sunrises and somehow each one of them is unique. The picture on this post is one of mine. The sun and the clouds are never in the same place. The waves may be calm or steady or angry or joyous. The trees may show up against the sky like stark silhouettes or as a muted border. The colors show the daily appointed choices of the infinite shades of pinks, oranges, blues and grays available to the Master Painter.
One of the things I love about living on Florida’s east coast is that the sun rises over the ocean. My late husband was my surfer-dude and his favorite time of day was what he called Dawn Patrol. Paddling into the sunrise, no matter the temperature of the water, was pure joy for him and always meant a sure connection with our Lord.
I never tire of watching a new day arrive. He has created the sun to rise every morning and it gives us a fresh day to explore for Him. But as magnificent as the sunrise is that He has created, He has shaped us as His masterpiece also. He has created us and made us new! We are each one unique and each day we have the opportunity to reflect a new self, generated by His light. Each day we mirror His active creation of life and we are His most precious design.
Just like the focus of the sunrise is the sun, He has designed us as His focus. He has formed our hearts, our minds, our bodies, our souls and our very personalities (Psalms 139: 13-14). The best sunrise pictures also show how the light affects the fuller landscape. Zoom out from yourself and your life and notice how He has designed who you are in the world. Ephesians 2 tells us that He has already put you together with the good things He wants you to do. Walk in them. Follow Him into them. Pay attention to His light in the morning.
What good things has He prepared for you this week so that you may be His light?
Creator God, how do I thank You? You are the Master Potter and You have formed me uniquely. Show me Your purposes for me. I want to reflect Your light as I do those good things You have arranged. Amen.
happy hunger 
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