Nature's Silent Song

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

 The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

    night after night they make him known.

 They speak without a sound or word;

    their voice is never heard.

 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,

    and their words to all the world. 

 Psalm 19:1-4 nlt

I have read this passage many times. Paul uses this concept to explain all of mankind can quite plainly see God IS. Creation reveals His existence.  I have always thought of this passages in this way. Yet I am coming to understand it in deeper ways. He speaks through creation in personal and intimate ways as well as conceptual ways. He has long spoken to me through creation; I am just coming to a fuller awareness of how powerfully He speaks to me through the beauty and even barrenness of nature. I guess this is why being in nature is commonly understood as a spiritual discipline, a way to open one's heart to God.

I have always had an awe for the beauty of creation as I have been privileged to have experienced stunning natural beauty in my lifetime. But in the last few years, I have had it speak to my heart in deep and meaningful ways that transcend mere wonder. I am realizing that God talks to me loud and clear through creation in specific ways. Tender ways.

Times when my heart has ached, when I have been troubled, I have glanced up and seen the beauty of clouds painted in pastel colored wisps flung across the blues of the canvas sky. I have looked out over the ocean crashing in endless rhythm as the setting sun casts gems of sparkling color on sea and sky. Both a welcome invitation for me to stop and enjoy majesty, to forget for the moment, the fleeting issues that concern me. A flower pushing up through gravel or cement, demands me to see that life and beauty prevail. The babble of water flowing down rivers or streams speaking of the persistence of His love which flows as liquid grace from His glorious throne. Mountain peaks towering with majesty remind me I am small in the scope of life, yet not insignificant. The sound of the wind dancing through the trees, like a symphony, tells me the Holy Spirit, Jesus described as like the wind, is in me. He speaks to me of His profound, unending love for me.

These are all reminders He is with me. His Voice in my heart, a gift of assurance. He has things well in Hand when it feels like life is careening out of control. These reminders refresh and replenish me. They give me hope. Provide a bit of light (what I need in that moment) when I feel I am groping in  darkness.

I thank you Lord for Your beauty which is all around. Beauty which speaks to my heart, if only I lift my eyes to see. Thank you for Your glory displayed, moment by moment, which is the expression of Yourself, for all to see. Your ever expanding glory, never-ending creation, such a gift. Thank You we can perceive these things. Thank You for the awe they inspire which provide hope for heart and soul. You are our never ceasing hope of glory.

The Advent of Light

Because of and through the heart of tender mercy 

and loving kindness of our God, 

a light from on high will dawn upon us and visit us.

To shine  upon and give light to those who sit in darkness 

and in the shadow of death, 

to direct and guide our feet in a straight line 

into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78-79 amp

Advent begins today. We begin the countdown to Christmas. The celebration of the coming of Love. Love incarnate, Jesus, Who came and lived among us. 

This is a season of craziness, of consumer frenzy, of over the top busyness. I don't want to get sucked into all of that. I want to ponder about what this month can be about. If I am intentional.  And to start with I am drawn to the idea of light. 

The passage above speaks of Jesus coming from on high, from heaven, to bring a glorious dawn to a world tainted with darkness. Light came to us, born from the heart of a merciful and loving God. Indeed the world seems so very dark right now as horrific things are happening across the globe.  Evil seems to be unleashed in ways that are not unfamiliar if we look at the track record of mankind, but it seems to be more blatant, more widespread. World powers are flexing their muscles and it seems we are on a dangerous precipice. 

The good news about light is it always wins. Dark can not overcome light. When light is shined, even a tiny spark, it always dispels darkness. Light is powerful, hopeful. It is penetrating. It is also revealing. What darkness tries to hide is exposed in light. Light eliminates darkness. It can never be the other way around.

The promise of a light coming (see Isaiah 9:2) was something generations of God's people looked forward to. They yearned for it as they toiled in struggle filled lives. They waited for generations for this promise to be fulfilled. And then Jesus was born. 

Heavenly light came in such a humble, unobtrusive, and vulnerable way. The way the Light of the world came was unexpected. Many missed it. A tiny child. One of us. But this was God's plan from the beginning of time. This child's coming was the dawning yearned for by the hearts of so many. John 8:12 confirms Jesus is the Light. "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

We begin this season of Advent in anticipation tinged with joy as we celebrate Love that has come to us. We can share this love, this light with others, our hope, with those who walk in purposelessness, pain and confusion. 

We don't have all the answers. There is still much darkness all around. But Jesus promised to come again to usher in a time when light will be everywhere. No more darkness.

This time is spoken of in Revelation 21:23-25. "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates be shut, for there will be no night there."

All of these verses are filled with hope. They talk about following Jesus now, about walking "in a straight line into the way of peace."  Since the birth of Jesus, people have been able to live in His light until the fullness of light comes, when all things will be put right for good, as we see in the Revelation passage. 

We can live in gratitude for the Light that has broken through. We can follow Jesus, Who illuminates our way, day by day, through the ups and downs of our lives. We can look to Him to direct and guide our feet through this often dark, yes, but also hope-filled world.

May we all be blessed in this Advent season as we ponder the wonder of Love, the Light of the World that came and lived among us.