Captivated by the Creator

Here we are with a new year upon us. As January begins to unfold, there is an excitement for the new, for the possibilities and potential, for the plans that are made, for the hopes we have. There is an excitement in the air for a sense of all things new. January can feel like a clean slate, a fresh start. It is a new day. This sense of newness gets my attention, and I find myself drawn to the details and it wakens a wonder in me. 

Driving to work the other morning, the beauty of the sunrise held my attention. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Have you considered the wonder and detail in the creation around us? Saturday we had our first real snow of the year, and really of winter this season. Large and fluffy snowflakes fell and stuck to my clothing and all around me. As the flakes fell on my windshield I could make out the details of these snowflakes. 

In a prayer I often pray, I acknowledge that all created things are the creative expression of the Lord. And as much beauty as I see when I acknowledge what is around me, be it creation, or the intricate design that God has for our stories, what truly has me captivated is the originator, the creator. 

It was by the Creator’s hands that the mountains were formed and the sun, moon, and stars were set into place. It was by the Creator’s mind that set our stories into motion. It was by the Creator that all was deliberately crafted and given a purpose. 

I love the way the scriptures proclaim the majesty of God describing Him through also his creation. Let’s read a part of Job 37 together:

“At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightning when his voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. 

For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it. Then the beasts go into their lairs and remain in their dens. From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. 

Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:1-14. 

I encourage you to continue reading through chapter 37 and then to stop and consider as you go about your day all that has been crafted that is before you, and what it says of its Creator. These things I consider and it opens my heart to wonder and to be captivated by the One who put it all into place. What a thought to consider not only the intention and detail that God put into each created thing, but that it was designed with purpose. And still, our stories are crafted with His greater story in mind. And all things are an expression of Him, of His love, of His character. To consider these things puts a pause in my spirit, and I dwell there for a while. When you see the sunrise, or the details of a snowflake, or a story that could only be intricately woven by the Creator, give yourself time to pause and be captivated by the Creator.