Monotonous Grace

MONOTONOUS GRACE
Psalm 19
The other night I was able to have a few moments to be still on our front porch. It was the twilight of the evening and all of creation was singing its last song of gratitude for the grace of the day. The martins were in flight chasing one another for one last game of tag before the stars would call them home to some barn loft or smokeless chimney. The shadows were long, stretching beyond the length of their source. It was one of those moments when life stood still as God sent out a portrait to remind me that the days are all for His glory. It was there in the moment that God captured my heart water and caused it to trail down my face in reverence of His artistry. I saw the art work of His hand in the sunset as the orange colors exploded into glorious rays of wondrous light! Beams pierced through the clouds and amplified out in soundless songs of splendor. The indigo sky was embracing the night to come as one by one God placed His stars in the vast expanse of the heavens. I with my dim eyes caught a glimpse of “The heavens declare the glory of God.” It was then it struck me once more, God does this artistry each and every day to call out “I’m here!”
This is a place where restlessness deep within us can find Sabbath; a place to hear clearly the repetitive call of God’s grace towards us. God teaches us through His creation, mostly lessons we often miss because they take time to learn, but let me share with you a few lessons God has taught me:

God’s works restore
Observing what God has made is naturally restorative. Our spirits are revived as God opens His hands to paint tapestries across the sky. There is joy and delight in color; inspiration and instruction in design. Our minds and hearts are made to be renovated by God’s revealing of Himself. God desires for us to be undone and re-done through the magnificence of His revelation through His handy work. Think of the last time you were astonished by something you saw; new life coming into earth, a panoramic view, or the vastness of the night sky. We describe such gazing’s as “breath-taking.” There is a biological response to having one’s breath taken away; an immediate inhale to catch one’s breath. Why? So that what has been lost can be restored. I think God’s beauty is made to give us the very same response; He takes our breath away to give us something fresh in His beauty.
God’s works invigorate
Whenever I’ve taken time to look at something God has made I feel hope. I’m not speaking of a glance but a real study of an object. The way a tree grows with its intricate designs and remarkable strength. The delicacy of a flower that remains attached even through the strongest of winds. These are the parts of creation, that when we meditate upon them, infuse our beings with energizing hope.

God’s works are joyful
It’s hard to imagine but God is always joyful over the works of His hands. There are times, if I can remain silent, in my heart I can almost hear Him laugh. To join God in His contentment is maybe the most joyful of all graces. To taste His rest in our own hearts is certainly one of the benefits we have as He reveals His work. If we can just stay still for a few moments, the joy God feels over His works can be an aperitif of all the fine nourishment of Joy to come to us in Christ. When we think of St. Paul’s words “no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him”, I am most certainly struck at the eternal joy that God’s creation reveals day after day for all days to come.
God is calling to us every day “I’m here, and always will be just take time to look around!”

Blessings Pastor Brad