Not the Same Show
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3
Each evening before going to bed I read from the Book of Psalms and some other spiritual writing. The “other” book I’m reading now is Frederick Buechner’s Beyond Words. A couple of nights ago I came across Beuchner’s reflections on Creation. Here he writes: “When God created the creation, God made something where there had been nothing… Using the same old materials of earth, air, fire, and water, every twenty-four hours God creates something new out of them. If you think you’re seeing the same show all over again seven times a week, you’re crazy. Every morning you wake up to something that in all eternity never was before and never will be again. And the you that wakes up was never the same before and will never be the same again either.”
Buechner’s words give us a lot to think about. He correctly notes that the One who created the world long ago continues that work to this very day. In fact, each day is a new creation provided by the Creator. This being so, each new day calls for an expression of gratitude. God is not required to keep the world turning. The fact that the sun rose today is cause for giving thanks for yet another day.
Buechner also reminds us here that every day is different and that we should not get so caught up in the routine of life that we fail to take notice of the differences at hand. This surely requires some discipline on our part. In order to notice the differences and that which is new we must truly pay attention. Sometimes the differences are obvious or dramatic—it snowed during the night or the wind knocked down a tree–but most of the time they are subtle and less obvious. For that reason we must intentionally look for the changes. We might also want to ask God to help us notice them. Why bother? Each change, each difference, is a reminder of the Creator’s ongoing work in our midst. Each change, each difference is also an invitation to enjoy and celebrate the wonder of life itself.
I really like Buechner’s comment that it is not just Creation that is made new each day, so are we. He’s right; you and I are not the same person we were yesterday, nor will we be the same person tomorrow because the God who “creates something new” each day in Creation also makes something new each and every day in us as well. I find that incredibly encouraging. How about you?
–Chuck
(I took the three images shown here in southern Florida this past December.)