Reading Plan: 
Genesis 1

Our Thoughts: 
I love sunrises. I love to watch as the ray of light slowly spreads over the hills and valleys. With anticipation, I wait for the moment the rooster crows, the silence is broken, and the world begins to stir. The sun is the same day after day, but the light, the vibrant colors and the creation revealed always leave me in awe of my Creator.
Today in Genesis 1:1-5, we read about how our God spoke the very first sunrise into existence - out of nothing! Every dawn serves as a reminder of the power of God and the goodness of His creation. I witnessed one of my favorite sunrises in Haiti. In the dark, I climbed to the rooftop to wait for the sun to climb over the horizon. The streets below were dark and empty, and there was a stillness in the sleeping town. Slowly, a kaleidoscope of color and light pushed through the darkness and lit up the mountains around me. Roosters crowed, dogs barked, lights began to flicker on in the houses around me. God's majesty was undeniable in that moment as the light brought the sleeping countryside to life.
In Genesis 1:26-31, God breathed life into man and woman and gave them a purpose - to join God in His Kingdom work. We know that Adam and Eve disobeyed God in Genesis 3, but God did not abandon humans in sin and darkness. In fact, He already had a plan in place to send Jesus to seek and save all mankind: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost," Luke 19:10. Jesus is the new light that saves.
Back on that rooftop in Haiti as the sun grew brighter, I sat and watched with curiosity as men and women left their homes and headed towards the market in the glow of a new day. I thought about the lives of the people who were walking in and out of the shadows on the narrow road. Did they know about the light of the world? Were they living in darkness and despair or the light and hope only found in Jesus? I did not know the answers to my questions, but I knew with certainty that God loved these people and had a plan for each of them before the world was spoken into existence. In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." Even when things are dark, uncertain, or messy, we can have peace that God in his great power loved us enough to make a way out of sin and death and into a beautiful new life of light.
Just sitting and wondering about the lost people God puts in our lives won't impact the world for Christ. 2 Timothy 1:9 tells us, "He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." Before time began, God, in His great power and love for us, carefully crafted a plan for us to live in the light and bring the light to others. Let us join God in His work and invite others to experience the wonder of a relationship with God.

More Questions:
What common experiences remind you of the power of God?
Have you ever felt God was seeking you? How did you respond?
Who do you know that needs light in their life? How can you share God's redemption plan with them?

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for making me with a purpose and a plan. Thank you for sending your son Jesus so that I could be saved and live my life for you. Give me wisdom and boldness to be an effective worker in your Kingdom. Open my eyes to where you are working around me, so that I can see those who need to know your love and Truth.

Author: Amy Fontenot