Colossians 1:16 (NASB 1995)
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Psalm 19:1 (NASB 1995)
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
Devotional
Every now and then, we are halted by beauty—beauty that doesn’t ask for attention but commands it. A night sky sown with stars, a sunrise drenched in hues no painter could master, or a single leaf laced with dew—each points to something far beyond itself. Colossians 1:16 draws back the veil and unveils the true Artist: Christ Jesus, through whom all things were made, and for whom all things exist.
Creation is not random nor is it impersonal. It is intentional, relational, and Christ-centered. The galaxies spin not by chance but by design. The mountains rise in worship, the oceans roar in praise, and the sky declares daily the majesty of God. Every atom, every ecosystem, every sunrise was created through Him—and for Him. Not for our consumption, but for His glory.
Psalm 19:1 invites us to do more than look—it beckons us to listen. The heavens declare, the skies proclaim. Creation preaches a continual sermon, and its message is the grandeur, artistry, and dominion of Christ. And in that message, we find our place—not as centerpieces, but as stewards, worshipers, and image-bearers living within His masterpiece.
When Morning Spoke
Amelia had always known the rhythm of city streets—the hum of engines, the flicker of neon lights, and the hurried footsteps that filled the spaces between sunrise and sleep. Life was fast, filled to the brim with deadlines and distractions, and though her heart longed for something quieter, she had never known how to find it.
It was Fiona who first offered her a way out, even if just for a while. “Come with me to the hills,” she had said, her voice gentle but certain. “You need to breathe different air, hear the world in silence.”
The cabin was small, tucked away in a fold of the countryside where trees grew thick, and time seemed to slow without asking permission. That first night, as dusk gave way to darkness, Amelia stepped out under a sky she barely recognized. Gone were the washed-out city stars; here, the heavens stretched deep and wild, freckled with light so pure it almost hurt to look.
“Out here,” Fiona whispered, “the sky doesn’t hide His glory.”
Amelia stood still, the coolness of the evening settling over her like a balm. She could hear the low sigh of the wind in the pines, the steady chirp of crickets hidden in tall grass, and in all of it, something stirred—a quiet she hadn’t felt in years, maybe ever.
Fiona opened her Bible under the faint beam of a flashlight and read softly, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth…” (Colossians 1:16). The words seemed to hang in the air, as though the stars themselves echoed the truth of them. Amelia didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her heart was too full.
Before dawn the next morning, Fiona nudged her awake. The cabin was still cloaked in darkness, but outside, the world was waiting. Wrapped in blankets and clutching a warm cup of coffee, Amelia followed her friend into the open field beyond the trees.
The horizon was nothing but shadow at first. But slowly, the sky began to shift—blues giving way to soft purples, streaks of pink unfolding like petals. The air was damp, rich with the scent of earth and dew, and every breath Amelia took felt like something sacred.
Then, the sun. Rising slowly, surely, casting gold over everything it touched. Trees, hills, the edge of the old wooden fence—all alight with morning’s fire.
Tears blurred Amelia’s vision. She wasn’t sure why, only that something deep inside her had opened wide. Fiona, watching the sunrise with steady eyes, spoke again. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
It was then that Amelia saw—not just with her eyes, but with her soul. The sunrise wasn’t just beautiful. It was a voice, speaking softly, powerfully, of a God who paints the skies and stirs the heart. She stood still, overwhelmed not by the brilliance of the light but by the One who had shaped it.
They didn’t say much after that. They didn’t need to. The sun climbed higher, the morning unfurled, and Amelia knew she’d been changed.
Reflection
Amelia didn’t just see a sunrise—she met the One who makes all things new. In that quiet dawn, amidst the stillness of a waking world, her soul was awakened to a truth that had always been: God speaks through His creation, not in shouts, but in the gentle unfolding of morning light. Sometimes, the greatest transformations come not in moments of thunder but in the soft invitation to behold, to listen, and to be still. We carry His fingerprints on every breath, every leaf, every beam of dawn. When morning speaks, it is the whisper of a faithful Creator, calling us to see, to believe, and to live again.
Key Takeaway
To see Jesus as the Creator is to live in awe. His fingerprints are etched into every facet of creation, inviting us to recognize His glory and respond with reverence. Stewardship of the earth is not a duty imposed but a joy embraced—a worshipful act of honoring the One who formed all things through His Word and for His purpose.
Practical Application
Pause each morning to witness the simple wonders of creation—the light breaking through your window, the leaves dancing in the breeze. Let these be daily reminders of Christ’s creative power. Take intentional steps to care for the environment: reduce waste, conserve resources, and support efforts that protect God’s handiwork. Let stewardship be your worship, reflecting His image in how you tend to His world.
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, Creator of all, open my eyes to see Your glory in the world around me. Teach me to care deeply for what You have made. Let my life reflect Your beauty through reverent stewardship and grateful praise. Amen.
Closing Thoughts
Creation sings because it belongs to Him. When we stand in awe of it, we’re not marveling at chance—we’re witnessing glory. Let us live aware. Let us live grateful. And let us live responsible. For the stars were made by His breath, the sun by His will, and we—yes, we—by His purpose. All things, including us, were created through Him and for Him. Let that truth shape the way we see, the way we walk, and the way we worship.
Quote
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” – Psalm 24:1 (NASB 1995)