God on Display

"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders" (Job 37:14).

The holidays are over, thank God we say to ourselves, it was good but now it is time to get back to normal. How was your holiday, your Christmas? There are times when everyone is together and there are times when it seems as the family has other commitments so togetherness will be by phone. Is that how your Christmas went? Mine was quiet, family had many other plans so, what to do? I could sit and be sullen and depressed or I could go fishing. That is what I did and why not? It was one of those beautiful sunny Christmas days that we don't often have here in the Northstate. Take advantage I said to myself , we have beautiful lakes so I packed my fishing gear, grabbed some worms, my school books to study, a chair, and a snack. No one was around it was so quiet and sunny, prepared my line, that means I put a worm on my hook, and cast it out hoping to catch some big trout. Laid my pole on the ground, sat in my chair and opened the book to study when suddenly my fishing pole started moving towards the lake. A "big one" must be a whale, got to be at least 20 inches long, grabbed my pole before that monster pulled it into the lake and began reeling it in. It was big alright, excitement all over my face, this was going to be a great day. Well, I netted this monster only to see that it was a carp. Ugh! Oh well! it was a fish and must be a sign that this was going to be a great day fishing. I decided to be like Peter and look into his mouth for a denarius, nope, not even a penny, only a hook and a half eaten worm. That was the only fish I caught that day and the only bite, the bobber on the water just sat still.

In the quiet of day, I began to look around at the wonders of God's creation. The mountain to the South with its first dusting of snow. The Canadian geese, "honking' and ruffling the water, a kayaker quietly gliding by, the turning of the leaves into beautiful hues of red, orange, green, I basked it all in. "Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds, he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.... he sends his command to the earth, his word runs swiftly. he spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? Hes sends his word and melts them; He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow" (Psalm 147:7-8, 15-18). This is our Great God.

It is good sometimes just to be alone with God and allow Him to speak to us and He does speak. Sometimes through others, sometimes through His word, and sometimes by His creative works. This world wants to believe in evolutionary process for that exists; they miss out the truly wondrous God who spoke the world into existence and gave us the ability to enjoy his wondrous acts. What a fuller meaning than just some old chemical process that can't even be proved. Well, I enjoyed that day and sat for hours, reading, admiring the scene and when a bit of sadness came upon me for I would like to share that moment I remember this, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). What a Great God!

Looking at the mountains I remembered what an "ol mountaineer had to say about old age:
The doctor as the weather-beaten mountaineer how he was feeling. "It's like this," drawled the man from the hills, then after a few seconds of silence, "I'm still kickin',  but I'm not rasing any dust."  Ed Steiner

Maybe that is just how you are feeling right now, "I'm stll kickin', but I'm not raising any dust." Is that how it is with you? Get up, kick up some dust! Pack a lunch, head to your favorite quiet spot, enjoy time alone with the LORD, He is there with you wherever you go and He wants to spend time with you, just you. Pray, for when you pray for others, God will "kick up some dust" in their lives, changes will be made, our God is Great, and He wants nothing more than to be with you and work through your life. Raise your eyes to heaven and see all that God has created. Thank Him!

Daily Prayer:

God, thank you for all your wonderful creative works that display your grandeur. Thank you for giving to me yourself, and the knowledge and hope that I find with you. use me in your kingdom work, help me to "kick up some dust," I am yours!                                Amen