I’ve often said you see what you’re looking for. Each morning, I love to sit at my dining room table and read my devotions while watching the dawning of a new day. Something happens inside me as I watch the sun rise. You see, the sunrise is a testament to a new start, a new opportunity to begin again. The Bible says, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23) and oh, how I often need that reminder. I need to know and honestly, be consoled, that I haven’t and never will wear down His love and compassion towards me. The sunrise displays power and steadfastness still today as it has every day from creation. It can’t be held back nor can God’s constant, steadfast love for me-- little insignificant me. The sunrise boggles my human mind and nudges of authorship and authority. I am instantly reminded of Who is really in control here. The most creative and genius of minds could not paint such beauty day in and day out for thousands of years, nor would they even know where to begin to call the sun up generation after generation. I am reminded of the conversation between the almighty God and human Job as God’s omnipotence is laid plain in Job 38. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” God questions. “Tell Me, if you have understanding,” He says. In verse twelve God rhetorically asks Job and truly each of us who begin to think quite highly of ourselves on this earth He created, “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place?” The rhetorical question still beams through this very morning with every ray to each of us, “Who is really in charge of all of this anyway? You probably ought to trust Him.” Rhetorical question to some, but for me, it demands my response of awe and humility. My perspective is changed in a moment of hope for that’s what the dawn brings. It’s been said that man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air … but only for one second without hope. We search for it. We yearn for it. We’re desperate for it – hope. That’s what the dawn is – a break in the darkness, light to bear truth that all is okay. I need it as do all, but again you see what you’re looking for. The dawn happens every single morning and is often overlooked by the masses, but it is my intent to always remain in the right perspective of who I am, not the one in charge. There is a relief of actually being reminded of that very thing. Even with all life’s responsibilities, I am only truly in control of me, my thoughts, my choices, my actions, my reactions. I would like to think that I do well in encouraging good behavior and choices amongst my family and those within my circle of influence, but that is not always the case. Time and again, when frustrated by disappointment, God often whispers these words to my overwhelmed heart, “Did you do what I asked you to do? You are not in charge of the results, only your obedience.” Does the sun do as God says and rises and falls? Yes. Is the sun in charge of the glorious display in the heavenlies and what colors peak through the clouds each day? No. It simply obeys. The dawn obeys, and this Dawn, for that is my name, will do the same. It may just take the moments of the dawning to set my heart in its right perspective of humility and hope again today.