WATCHWORD:
The Lord replied: “Look, and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe. Habakkuk 1:5
Meditation:
The Inner Space
In the lectionary, our worship calendar is in Year C, and, specifically, the Sundays after Pentecost. Pentecost, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, a gift from God, for those who believe, 50 days from the greatest gift of all, the resurrection. And, yet, we may continue to wonder about the boundless love of God, and how some things are accomplished.
We have seen pictures from spaceships of the vastness of the universe, as far as science can help us see. When we think of the infilling of the Holy Spirit we can only come to the one conclusion, that it is only in the spirit realm could God, so infinitely great, live within each of us, who are so very small. We have no choice but to be awed by the power and the glory of God’s Spirit within us! Did you get that? Within us!
I think about John Glenn on the very first manned space flight; he was a trailblazer in science and a devoted public servant on Earth as well as in the heavens. What was it like to be thrust into space, trusting science to put you there and to return you safely back to Earth? To behold what God had created, up close and personal, far beyond the ability of we earthbound folk. Glenn’s comment: “To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is impossible.”
There is nothing like that! Oh, wait. Yes, there is! Look around you. Look with honest and unbiased eyes at the miracles in your life. The family around you, the healings that you might credit to medicine, the vistas that have awed you in your life-journeys. And so much more! Yes, think about those, dwell on those, and, yes, give God the glory.
I just returned from being part of a baptism ceremony for my great grandson and his cousin, the two “dutch-twins” born just 11 days apart, the mothers are sisters. You cannot look at these two guys, these “twin” three-months old, and the amazing collection of family and fans gathered in love on their behalf, and not believe in the love that God showers upon us. We, indeed, are people of God, people favored with miracles every day. Those two kids together is certainly something you have to see to believe. Amen.
The words of a song come to mind – “Lord You Are Holy”
As I look around and I see
all the works, your hands have made,
the awesomeness of you
and how your love will never fade.
Mere words cannot express what I feel inside,
I cannot even describe your glory divine;
but as a token of my love, this is what I will do,
I will lift my hands and cry to thee,
Lord You Are Holy! Amen.
A Prayer About God’s Creation:
Loving Father and Creator of all, we come to you today deeply grateful for your creation. As we look around us we are amazed at the greatness and majesty of all that you have made. Nature around us speaks of your greatness – the vast expanse of the sky, the mountains, trees, lakes and streams speak of your great design. You have given us such beauty in the colors of the rainbow, the beauty of flowers and fields. Words cannot adequately express the magnificence of all you have created. We join in praise with the writer of the psalms when he says, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” May we show our love and reverence to you, our Lord, by caring for all that you have created. We humbly give you praise and thanks. Amen.”
