Recently while on vacation on the island of Kauai my wife and arose early in the morning to go experience one of the greatest sunrises that this world has to offer; a vibrant sunrise over the blue Pacific Ocean. As we made our way to the water’s edge we observed that this notion was not specific to us; many people stood staring eastward at the orange sky, standing in anticipation of the of the mornings’ birth. Men, women, and children armed with cameras and cell phones to capture the unique event. We were not disappointed, slowly and surely the sun crept over the horizon to reveal its God-given brilliance.
After reveling for 30 minutes or so the people began to taper off, yet it struck me as odd how many individuals had made their way out to witness the age-old event. Why were so many drawn to an event that has occurred thousands and thousands of times throughout history? Could something this “common” really be so entertaining? Seems like we get bored if we have to watch a TV show or a movie twice, or have leftovers, so how is it that this same repetitive event lures us to behold it again and again? Is it just a thing of beauty? I don’t think so.
Sure, I do think there is an element of power to be appreciated. I do think it is beautiful. But there is certainly more. Even my atheist friend is compelled to refer to a sunrise as a “miracle.” So what gives? I think people want a glimpse of God. More specifically they want a “sample” of His glory. Psalm 19:1-2 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.” What draws us as lemmings to the sea is something within our DNA that wants to experience and appreciate God, and a way to do that is to stand in awe of the heavens God has created.
That is not mere coincidence; God wanted us to notice His glory in His handiwork. Every day we humans are reminded of the magnitude of His power, in the Sun, the Moon, the stars, meteors, comets, galaxies, pulsars, novas, planets and asteroids. Every day they cry out announcing and manifesting the glory of God. Can you hear them? They are declaring glory and knowledge with a deafening roar. Just the expanse of the universe is bewildering; we cannot even comprehend the end of the heavens, or the magnitude of His glory! The bigger and better the telescopes only serve to comprehend His handiwork more and more.
So you think God doesn’t present Himself in this world anymore? Better think again. Better yet, take a stroll at night looking up. Listen to the concert of the universe “communicating” God’s glory. Get up early and watch God’s work. Just consider how God hurls an object 333,000 times the mass of the earth, 93 million miles from the Earth, burning at a mere million degrees, and uses that to care for the Earth, all the while revealing His glory.
It is there for us if we only take the time. Listen, Don’t miss it.
Next show time? Right Now!
[The Shepherd’s Echo is a reposting of a previously published TheShepherdsPen.]
