“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” (Psalm 19:1 NLT)
In the last few weeks, I have been to three museums. It’s been a while, years in fact, since I visited a museum, so three in a relatively short time, it is like museum overload for me. As I toured the museums, I was amazed at how some individuals, adults of all ages, would stand in a studious, statues like way, and stare, unfazed by foot traffic or floods of talking visitors, yes, stare at one exhibit for minutes. Were these visitors admiring the detailed work of the artist? Was it a sense of amazement about the era when the work was created? What caused the onlookers to stand in an apparent state of awe? Perhaps the individuals frozen in front of the art exhibit where intensely focused because they were searching for inspiration. Maybe some of the people were enrolled in an art appreciation class and they were learning how to lose themselves, momentarily, in the thoughts prompted by what they were seeing in their own unique way. Was it because the particular artwork that made them pause something they had heard about before and now they finally got a chance to see it in person? Who knows? I sure don’t know the answer.
Thinking about what I observed at the museum, served as the switch to turn on my God-consciousness prism, and caused me to ponder and ask a number of questions. “Do people look at God’s creation and marvel in the same way as the museum onlookers? Do we look with amazement as God’s handiwork? Do we go outside, traveling from one place to the other in such a rush that we don’t even consider the era that God created the heavens and the earth; ‘in the beginning?’ Do we even think about how omniscient God is, apparent in the detailed creative work of the various plants, trees, flowers, and other agricultural sights? Do we sense God’s power when we look with the human eye at the sky above?”
Did you ever get inspired looking at the clouds in the sky and notice how they form shapes that strike a spiritual chord? Yesterday, I saw a large cloud that appeared to have a body and two wings, flying upward as if he had completed his God-given assignment. On many occasions I have seen jet streams that have formed no one, but three crosses in the sky. Do you think that sight rang a bell about our Savior’s sacrifice on Calvary? It definitely did!
Yesterday, while looking out of a window where I was waiting for an appointment, what I usually just see some weeds, I saw what once were seen as just weeds transformed into some beautiful wheat-colored flowers, blowing in the wind, as if their job was to put onlookers in a state of peace, lulled into a silent state of serenity.
Let’s be truthful, many times, all of us have failed to appreciate the craftmanship of God. Do something different. Address this deficiency by devoting just a short time to looking at the craftmanship of God. Try sitting out on your patio or standing in your yard or staring out of the window in your house that gives you a clear view of God’s creation. If you are looking for inspiration, you will find it. If you are looking to be in a better state of appreciation for God’s craftmanship, you will find it! If you are looking for something to stir up your thoughts about the character of God, don’t look at the stuff around you, but turn your head to the sky and see what happens. I believe that your internal nature will be changed by the art of the visible, external nature that was painted by God Himself! I believe that you will feel more powerful when you think about how our powerful God spoke it all into creation and coming to the conclusion that He is the same powerful God that is with you from day to day, yes, from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, and through your sleep hours where the One who does not slumber looks after you.
I don’t know about you, but I am going to be more like the Psalmist above today, and see the works of God, appreciate His craftmanship. And then, I am going to see myself as a sort of canvas that God is working on! Or, perhaps I will consider myself as a piece of clay that the Potter is still molding into what He wants me to be, using the technique of sanctification. All of us, including you, need to recognize God is not through with us yet. Thank God for the graceful and merciful ways He is continuing to work on us!
On your morning break, look outside and appreciate God’s craftmanship, appreciate your Creator. If you cannot go outside, picture God’s creation in your mind and see how that impacts you in a positive way. Have a great Tuesday! Be blessed!
“Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all!” (Romans 1:20 Good News Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King