Readings for today: John 1:1-3, Psalm 8, Psalm 104
Father, through Your Holy Spirit, open Your Word to me that I may meet you face to face, hear your voice, learn what you would have me learn, and grow ever deeper in my faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
As I read these words, I look out the window of a home high above Grand Lake. It’s winter. The snow has been falling the entire time we’ve been here. Our family is on their annual post-Christmas vacation to the mountains of Colorado. The lake is large and deep. Significant portions have yet to freeze over. The trees are laden with several inches of snow. The ground covered and every morning we can see the tracks of the animals who’ve passed by in the night. The stars at night have been covered by the clouds but normally they blaze with a brilliance we cannot see from our home in Parker. There’s just something about coming up here that brings us closer to God. Closer to our Creator. Gets us in touch with the wonder of all He has made. And it brings new meaning to the words, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)
When I pause in the silence and solitude of a winter morning with my family still asleep and consider the blessings God has poured into my life, I am in awe. I enjoy the love of a godly woman who’s been at my side for almost thirty years. I have deep friendships with my four children, two of whom are now adults and launching out on their own. I am blessed by the relationships I have with my parents, in-laws, siblings and their families. I am financially secure. My body is healthy and strong. My mind is clear. I have the privilege of serving as pastor for an amazing church, alongside spiritual leaders I admire, and work with a group of people I get to call friends. I get to teach aspiring pastors at a local seminary. I get to travel the world to preach the gospel and train church planters to go to places where the name of Jesus has never been heard. I get to serve our denomination in a variety of capacities as we seek God’s will for the future of our life together. My life is rich and full. This must be the “glory and honor” the Psalmist is talking about. It’s less about titles and achievements and more about relationships and the opportunities God gives us to serve in His Kingdom.
What keeps me from pride? What keeps human beings humble before the Lord? Here again, the Psalmist provides the answer. “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 104:33-35) I keep my eyes focused on God. He gives and takes away. Surely I’ve had my dark moments along the way. Times when I wasn’t sure I could pay the bills. Times when my physical health wasn’t great. Times when my marriage was on the rocks. Times when my relationships with my children was strained to the point of breaking. Times when my professional career was in shambles. Yes, I’ve had my share of hard times. But in those moments, I discovered God at His most glorious! When I needed Him most, God was always there! Faithful. Steadfast. True. “In the beginning was the Word…” In our present darkness is the Word. At the end of all things will be the Word. He is the one who was and is and is to come! Place your trust in Him today!
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 3-5