GRATITUDE FOR CREATION
How many are Your works, LORD! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.
Psalm 104:24 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago. It was in a very large city, one I'd never been to before. The airport was confusing (and dirty). The shuttle to the rental car place was almost impossible to find. The people weren't very friendly or helpful. When I finally got in the car and pulled up the map, I discovered I still had a 30-minute drive to the hotel. It was very disorienting. I was exhausted. Have you ever felt like that? Tired? Just trying to get through the day? If so, you're not alone.
Here's where the beauty comes in. My hotel ended up being on the edge of town. It was close enough to the city where I had to go each day but was far enough away from all the traffic and noise (it's quite stunning to think about how much traffic and noise we've created). That first night was when it hit me. I was in the parking lot, and it was very dark outside. I looked around. Then I looked up. I was immediately taken aback. The stars were brighter than I remember seeing them in a long time. The moon was full and lit up the sky. And as I stood there, for those few magical moments, I forgot all about the cares of the day. All I'd been through slipped away from my mind, and I simply stood there in awe. I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace and wonder.
When Moses wrote about the beauty of creation (written in the form of a poem), and when the writers of the Psalms talk about the stars and the skies and all the creatures, I think they're onto something. It's as if creation itself is meant to ground us. To center us. Adam was made out of dirt, after all! That in reflecting on all that God has made, we are reuniting ourselves with the Creator.
APPLICATION: Find time today to enjoy the beauty of creation and the wonder of God's handiwork. Reflect on the smallest details to the vast universe. He made it all. And today, imagine that He made it just for you.
PRAYER: God, You are bigger than I ever imagined, and everything You create is full of life and beauty. Help me walk slower today so I may see Your hand in all You've made. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?